Member Biography

Chuck Conerly first played varsity football at Mississippi in 1942. He was a combat Marine in the South Pacific during World War II, returned to Mississippi to play in 1946 and 1947. As captain in 1947 he led the Rebels to their first Southeastern Conference championship. Conerly, a tailback, stood 6-0 and weighed 184. In 1947 he led the nation in pass completions with 133. He ran for nine touchdowns and passed for 18, was consensus All-America, and was named Player of the Year by the Helms Foundation. Mississippi capped a 9-2 season by beating Texas Christian 13-9 in the Delta Bowl. Conerly also starred in baseball, hit .467 in 1948, and was offered a pro contract. He went into pro football with the New York Giants as a T formation quarterback, played 14 years 1948-61, and was the National Football League's Most Valuable Player in 1959. Conerly was born September 19, 1921 in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He died February 13, 1996.