Ole Miss Football announced senior linebacker Suntarine Perkins as the recipient of the 2026-27 Chucky Mullins Courage Award on Aug. 8. Each season, the award is given to an upperclassman defensive player who elevates both the community at large and his teammates.
The award criteria also looks for someone who shows strong courage, integrity and perseverance when faced with challenges, just like Mullins did following his tragic accident during a game in 1989.
As this year’s recipient, Perkins will carry on Mullins’ legacy on the field. Often, players swap out their customary number for the number 38 to match Mullins.
On the field, Perkins has been a key player for Ole Miss. He has appeared in every game over the past three years, and last season, he logged the second most total tackles on the team with 81.
Perkins was instrumental in the College Football Playoff with clutch moments including a fourth quarter strip-sack against Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton in the Sugar Bowl.
To share the news and congratulate Perkins, Tyler Banks, who received the award last season, came back to Oxford for the announcement. Perkins spoke about what the award meant to him and how he would support his teammates throughout the upcoming season.
“Each and every day, I’m going to give y’all my very best. Y’all can call me for anything outside of football,” Perkins said.
Perkins joins a long list of accomplished honorees which includes former and current NFL players, like Patrick Willis and JJ Pegues.
The linebacker told OleMiss365 at a fall camp interview on Aug. 6 that he has a lot of goals to accomplish this year and will remain committed to his teammates.
“I’m a lead-by-example type of guy,” Perkins said. “(I’m) just ready to work and bring guys with me … (I’m) just showing them what the standard is here.”
In an Oct. 28, 1989 game against Vanderbilt, Commodore Brad Gaines caught a ball at the Rebels’ two-yard line. As Gaines turned for the end zone, Rebel cornerback Mullins tackled Gaines.
While Mullins prevented a touchdown, the hit shattered four of his vertebrae and paralyzed him instantly.
Mullins was then airlifted to a Memphis hospital where doctors treated him for months. When he was finally released, Mullins, still paralyzed, returned to Ole Miss to continue his studies.
Soon after his return to Oxford, Mullins was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism — a condition in which blood clots form due to lack of activity. Mullins died on May 6, 1991. The “never quit” mindset that carried Mullins through life after the accident became a rallying cry that continues to inspire many today.
