MSU player won’t represent ‘this State anymore’ if flag not changed
STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi's state flag has been a hot button issue for decades.
Conversations about the Confederate emblem that is displayed on it have intensified recently in congruence with the prevalence of racial tension in America.
The Magnolia State's flag took another hit Monday. This one came from a prominent Mississippi State football player. Senior running back Kylin Hill, a Columbus native, posted a message on Twitter about the flag.
“Either change the flag or I won't be representing this State anymore,” Hill tweeted. He also added “I meant that .. I'm tired.”
Hill's tweet was a retweet of Mississippi
Gov. Tate Reeves' explanation of why creating another flag in addition to the current one would not be appropriate. Reeves said having two state flags would only further divide the people of the state, which is opposite of the common goal people are trying to reach by changing the flag in the first place.
Reeves said he has been “thinking and praying hard” about the best way to do what is right for the people of Mississippi
to bring them together and make sure everyone's voices are heard.
As it stands, though, all Mississippians live in a state that has a flag that displays the battle symbol of the Confederacy. In a tweet responding to his original one, Hill said he was born in Mississippi and knows too well what that symbol stands for.
On Thursday, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey released a statement saying the state of Mississippi will not be able to host conference championship events until the flag is changed.
The NCAA followed up Friday by saying regional events, such as baseball regionals and women's basketball NCAA Tournament first- and second-round games, cannot occur in the state of Mississippi as long as the Confederate emblem is still on the state's flag.
Hill is expected to be a huge factor in coach Mike Leach's offense. He's been told by multiple members of Leach's coaching staff, including running backs coach Eric Mele, that he has a chance to lead the SEC in all-purpose yards.
Hill led the SEC in rushing last year with 1,350 yards. He had 10 touchdowns on the ground and added 180 receiving yards and one touchdown through the air.