Two-Time Super Bowl Champ Gay Relishes Hometown Celebration
March 28, 2024 | Football, Joel Coleman
Mississippi State hosts Willie Gay, Jr. Day for former Bulldog linebacker.
STARKVILLE – Willie Gay, Jr. has just about done it all in the game of football. The Starkville native's personal journey has taken him from high school star to Mississippi State great to being a two-time Super Bowl champion in the NFL.
Yet for all Gay has seen, done and experienced, there is no doubt that his roots remain Maroon. He made that much clear on Thursday as he was honored with Willie Gay, Jr. Day on Mississippi State's campus.
"Looking back, [coming to MSU] was the best thing I ever did," Gay said. "Thank God for Mississippi State University."
It was evident on Thursday that the Bulldog family and Starkville community are equally as grateful for Gay as he is for them. The YMCA Plaza near State's Colvard Student Union was packed with Gay's family, friends, former coaches and fans.
Gay spent much of his time over the course of the event catching up with many of those individuals, posing for photos and signing autographs. He didn't really need it, but it was all a reminder to Gay of how special his old stomping grounds are to him.
"This is an amazing city," Gay said. "Starkville, Mississippi takes care of its own. When I chose to come to Mississippi State, they did it times two."
Truth be told, embracing Gay is easy for the people of Starkville and those who love the Dawgs. It's a testament to his joyous spirit and positive personality that uplifts others and lights up every room he's in or football field he's on.
Gay's love for life is infectious and magnetic. It's just who he is, and it's made him beloved as a Starkville Yellow Jacket, an MSU Bulldog, a Kansas City Chief, and now, as a New Orleans Saint.
"I just love life man, and when you see me half the time, I'm always on the field so you know I love that," Gay said. "I'm always smiling out there on the field and just bring that into my everyday life and my attitude."
State Director of Athletics Zac Selmon got to experience the Wille Gay effect earlier on Thursday, before the on-campus ceremony took place. The two were at a local barbershop at the same time. Selmon noted in his onstage remarks how he was moved by Gay's ability to bring joy to everyone in the place – from those he knew and had relationships with to those he'd never met.
"One of the things we talk to our student-athletes about every day is to make an impact on other people and to live a life that echoes," Selmon said. "I think Willie, in his young career, has already done that and I know truly that the best is yet to come for Willie."
If the best is indeed still ahead for Gay, his already brightly-shining stardom might soon be a blinding light. After all, it's tough to improve upon a career and life that's already positively shaped so many – not to even mention all the on-field accolades and championship rings Gay has captured.
Nonetheless, Gay's journey continues. He'll suit up for the Saints this fall and play his home games less than a five-hour drive from Stark Vegas.
"I'm very excited to be closer to home and even more excited for the new opportunities and to start fresh," Gay said. "Just have to go in there and work."
Working hard comes easy for Gay – just like delivering happiness and cheer to everyone near him. He'll surely keep right on being a beacon for others and delivering production on the gridiron, but no matter where he goes or how much he achieves, there'll never be a place quite like home in Starkville and at Mississippi State.
"It's family and it's love," Gay said. "Not just because I'm from here, but because of how I was treated when I was here and especially after.
"It was a fast few years [while I was at MSU], but it's really lasted way longer than that. Today proves that."
