Tyler Banks, the 35th recipient in the 36-year history of the Chucky Mullins Award, is leaving no doubt about his intentions with the jersey.
There was a time the Chucky Mullins Courage Award winner accepted his new jersey number, 38, and didn’t think twice.
As the years wore on, some, like Patrick Willis, opted for a patch instead. Others found a happy medium, such as last year’s winner, JJ Pegues. Pegues wore No. 38 — the same as the late Chucky Mullins, for whom the award is named — for home games, while donning his regular No. 89 on the road.
Tyler Banks became the 35th recipient in the 36-year history of the award on Thursday. He’s leaving no doubt about his intentions.
“Every game. Home, away. Spot the ball, I’m wearing the jersey,” Banks said.
The award is sponsored by Phi Beta Sigma fraternity and honors Mullins, who had his Ole Miss career come to an end during the 1989 Homecoming game against Vanderbilt. Mullins was paralyzed after making a tackle. He returned to Ole Miss for his studies but ultimately passed away on May 6, 1991.
“I know what this means,” Banks said. “I know the man who wore this jersey [and] what it meant to play like him and show up like him every day. I’ve been hearing it since I got here, and I’m from Virginia. I didn’t grow up knowing what this was and what it meant. But the moment I got here I understood, and I’ve been understanding these last few years.
“The guys who’ve worn it before me — Cedric Johnson, JJ — and the way they showed up and played every day. The things he did in the community and showed up in his community. It was nothing but love. I just knew that was something I wanted to be and embody. I’m just grateful, and I’m going to do everything I can to live up to it, too.”
Banks is a three-year letter-winner for Ole Miss.
He’s a unicorn in the now-transfer-dominated culture of college football. Banks has appeared in all 39 games for the Rebels since arriving in Oxford as a true freshman in 2022. Banks is originally from Blackstone, Virginia.
He’s mostly served as a key member of the Ole Miss special teams unit, tallying 31 total tackles in his career, including a personal-best 14 last season. Banks also represents the Rebels as a member of the SEC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
“I think about Chucky, and what Tom [Luke] has said over the years to me about him, and one of the things was how he showed up for his teammates,” sixth-year Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin said to the team in announcing Banks as the winner. “You’ve heard me say before, the first rule to getting better is showing up. As you continue through life, the most important people to you, that impact you the most, whether it’s family or they become family, is that they show up for you.
“When I think of this winner, I think of that. He shows up every day for his teammates — on the field and off the field. It’s a tremendous story of him being here and fighting through adversity and everything not going exactly the way maybe he wanted it to when he came out of high school, which is going to happen the rest of your life. It’s not going to go like you want it to. All this guy does is continue to show up, continue to battle, continue to improve his play and play whatever role it is.
“I couldn’t think of a better guy than Tyler Banks.”
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Banks was selected from among several veteran defensive players considered by Kiffin and the Ole Miss coaching staff.
The award is presented annually to an upperclassman on defense and is intended to embody the spirit of Mullins — courage, leadership, perseverance and determination.
Former recipients are Chris Mitchell, Jeff Carter, Trea Southerland, Johnny Dixon, Alundis Brice, Michael Lowery, Derek Jones, Nate Wayne, Gary Thigpen, Heard, Anthony Magee, Kevin Thomas, Lanier Goethie, Jamil Northcutt, Eric Oliver, Kelvin Robinson, Patrick Willis, Jeremy Garrett, Jamarca Sanford, Marcus Tillman, Kentrell Lockett, Deterrian Shackelford (twice), Jason Jones, Mike Marry, Mike Hilton, John Youngblood, Marquis Haynes, C.J. Moore, Austrian Robinson, Jaylon Jones, Keidron Smith, KD Hill, Johnson and Pegues.
“Just being all-in with everything you’re doing,” Banks said of what the award means to him. “Everybody you associate with — genuine, love, caring for them, putting them before you and trusting in God, man.
“That’s all it’s about.”
Category: General Sports
