Ole Miss Football head coach Lane Kiffin named linebacker Tyler Banks the winner of the 2025-26 Chucky Mullins Courage Award last month.
The award is named for the late Roy Lee “Chucky” Mullins, an Ole Miss defensive back whose career was cut short following a back injury in 1989 which left him fully paralyzed. Sponsored by the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, the coaching staff presents it annually to an upperclassman defensive player with resilience, bravery and upstanding moral character — all qualities which Mullins exhibited.
During his career, Mullins’ effort on the field was unquestionable. He was always willing to put his body on the line – and this came at a cost. In the fateful game against Vanderbilt in 1989, Commodore fullback Brad Gaines caught a short pass, and Mullins launched himself at Gaines to make a diving tackle. He crashed headfirst into Gaines and shattered four vertebrae, paralyzing him immediately.
The medical staff airlifted the immobile Mullins to the nearby hospital in Memphis. After months of treatment, Mullins, still paralyzed, was released from the hospital and returned to his studies. “Never quit” quickly became Mullins’s motto: He always had a smile on his face and refused to let his bleak situation weigh him down.
Unfortunately, less than a year after resuming classes, Mullins was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism, which occurs when blood clots develop due to inactivity. Mullins passed away on May 6, 1991. Even after his death, Mullins continues to serve as inspiration.
As the winner of the award, Banks will change his number to 38 to match Mullins. Banks, a Virginia native, is the 35th annual recipient of the award. He has played in every game so far in his four-year Ole Miss career. Last season, he appeared primarily on special teams and recorded 14 total tackles. His presence as a leader is felt both on and off the field.
Kiffin and the Ole Miss coaching staff presented the new jersey to Banks in front of his teammates. In his press conference, Banks made it clear that this award carries a lot of weight.
“I know what this means. I know the man that wore this jersey, what it meant to play like him and show up like him everyday,” Banks said on “The Season.”
Banks joins an elite group of Rebels who also wore the number 38. Last year’s recipient JJ Pegues now plays for the Las Vegas Raiders. Patrick Willis, who won the award in 2006, was recently inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after his outstanding career with the San Francisco 49ers. For successful players like these, the number 38 is special, and it is no different for Banks.
Banks is committed to continuing to give his all for the team — something he has done since he first set foot in Oxford.
“From the first day (that) I got here, I had my mind made up that I was going to be genuine and true to everybody around me,” Banks said. “Whatever I’m doing, (I) give it 100% regardless of the factors.”
