Bob Stoops delivers heartwarming message to Mississippi State players for playing in bowl game during Mike Leach memorial

Bob Stoops got here to Starkville on Tuesday to pay tribute to late Mississippi State coach Mike Leach and ship a message to his gamers.

Stoops wished them to know the way a lot he admired their resilience and dedication in eager to honor their coach by enjoying within the ReliaQuest Bowl towards Illinois on Jan. 2.

Stoops advised the Bulldogs gamers at Tuesday’s public memorial simply how pleased and proud Leach could be that they’re decided to nonetheless play towards the Illini just some weeks after Leach handed away at 61.

Stoops was among the many many members of the school soccer world who descended on Starkville to speak about what Leach meant to the game of school soccer.

Leach handed away on Dec. 12 after issues from a coronary heart situation and per week later at Humphrey Coliseum the legendary offensive architect who modified the best way school soccer was performed was being honored by Stoops and lots of others he affected throughout his profession.

Present Bulldogs star quarterback Will Rogers and linebacker Nathaniel Watson have been scheduled to talk on Tuesday, as have been SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and Mississippi State president Mark Keenum.

For a few decade, Leach and Stoops have been intense opponents within the Huge 12 when Stoops was at Oklahoma and Leach coached at Texas Tech.

Present USC head coach Lincoln Riley, who coached below Stoops and Leach, additionally was scheduled to talk on Tuesday, together with former Washington State quarterback Gardner Minshew, who performed for Leach when he was on the Pac-12 college.