Calkins: Sure, Jackson State shafted the Southern Heritage Classic. But that won’t stop Fred Jones.

By , Daily Memphian Updated: February 03, 2022 7:05 PM CT | Published: February 03, 2022 7:05 PM CT
<strong>Fred Jones created the Southern Heritage Classic more than 30 years ago, giving Jackson State and Tennessee State a chance to play a big game on a big stage.</strong>&nbsp;<strong>&ldquo;I had no idea it was coming,&rdquo; Jones said of receiving notice that Jackson State would no longer participate in the classic. </strong>(Jim Weber/Daily Memphian file)

Fred Jones created the Southern Heritage Classic more than 30 years ago, giving Jackson State and Tennessee State a chance to play a big game on a big stage. “I had no idea it was coming,” Jones said of receiving notice that Jackson State would no longer participate in the classic. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian file)

Geoff Calkins
Daily Memphian

Geoff Calkins

Geoff Calkins has been chronicling Memphis and Memphis sports for more than two decades. He is host of "The Geoff Calkins Show" from 9-11 a.m. M-F on 92.9 FM. Calkins has been named the best sports columnist in the country five times by the Associated Press sports editors, but still figures his best columns are about the people who make Memphis what it is.

Jackson State wronged the Southern Heritage Classic when it backed out of its contractual commitment to play in 2022. But if you think that’s the end of the classic, you don’t know Fred Jones. 

Topics

Southern Heritage Classic Jackson State Deion Sanders Coach Prime Fred Jones Tennessee State college football

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