Mississippi legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Mississippi SC524: Remembering Willie Totten and Jerry Rice who were nicknamed the Mississippi Valley State "Satellite Express."
Status: Passed both chambers, March 18, 2026
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING AND REMEMBERING THE LEGACY AND CULTURAL IMPACT OF WILLIE "THE SATELLITE" TOTTEN AND JERRY "WORLD" RICE WHO PLAYED FOR THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE DELTA DEVILS FROM 1981-1985 AND WERE NICKNAMED THE "SATELLITE EXPRESS."
What the bill says
A concurrent resolution commemorating and remembering the legacy and cultural impact of willie "the satellite" totten and jerry "world" rice who played for the mississippi valley state delta devils from 1981-1985 and were nicknamed the "satellite express.".
From the enrolled text, March 18, 2026:
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING AND REMEMBERING THE LEGACY AND CULTURAL IMPACT OF WILLIE "THE SATELLITE" TOTTEN AND JERRY "WORLD" RICE WHO PLAYED FOR THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE DELTA DEVILS FROM 1981-1985 AND WERE NICKNAMED THE "SATELLITE EXPRESS." WHEREAS, the "Satellite Express" was the nickname for the innovative, pass-heavy offensive system and star quarterback-wide receiver duo of Willie Totten and Jerry Rice at Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) during the early to mid-1980s; and WHEREAS, under Head Coach Archie Cooley, this no-huddle, run-and-shoot-style attack emphasized quick passes, wide formations, and high-tempo play, revolutionizing small-college football by shattering Division 1-AA passing records; and WHEREAS, in 1984, the duo led the Delta Devils to a 9-2 record, averaging 57.1 points per game while Totten threw for 4,557 yards and 56 touchdowns, and Rice caught 112 passes for 1,845 yards and 27 scores; and *SS26/R1284* S. C. R. No. 524 ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2 26/SS26/R1284 PAGE 1 (rdd\tb) WHEREAS, this explosive partnership propelled Jerry Rice, widely regarded as the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, onto the national stage and influenced modern spread offenses; and WHEREAS, Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU), a historically Black college and university (HBCU) founded in 1946, joined the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in 1968 and competed as the Delta Devils football team. Prior to the 1980s, the program faced …
Sponsors
- Pope, Justin L. (D, 24) · primary sponsor
- Butler, Albert (D, 37)
- Jackson, Reginald (D, 11)
- Sarita Simmons (D, 13)
- Blount, David (D, 29)
- DuPree, Johnny L. (D, 45)
- McLendon, Michael (R, 1)
- Michel, J. Walter (R, 25)
- Mumford, Kamesha B. (D, 26)
- Derrick Simmons (D, 12)
- Thomas, Joseph (D, 22)
Latest actions
- : Enrolled Bill Signed
- : Returned For Enrolling
- : Immediate Release
- : Adopted
- : Title Suff Do Be Adopted
- : Referred To Rules
- : Transmitted To House
- : Adopted
- : Title Suff Do Be Adopted
- : Referred To Rules
Votes
- Adopted (February 4, 2026): 52 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is SC524?
- SC524 is a bill in the Mississippi Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Remembering Willie Totten and Jerry Rice who were nicknamed the Mississippi Valley State "Satellite Express.".
- What does SC524 do?
- In its own words: A concurrent resolution commemorating and remembering the legacy and cultural impact of willie "the satellite" totten and jerry "world" rice who played for the mississippi valley state delta devils from 1981-1985 and were nicknamed the "satellite express.".
- What is the status of SC524?
- Passed both chambers as of March 18, 2026. Latest action: Enrolled Bill Signed (March 18, 2026).
- Who sponsored SC524?
- Pope, Justin L. (D, 24), with 10 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SC524?
- On the Mississippi Legislature website: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/SC/SC0524.xml
Source: official Mississippi record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.