It’s been almost six years since Mississippi State defensive end Nick Bell died of cancer. Since then, MSU players have taken turns wearing No. 36 to honor Bell’s life and legacy.
When asked by reporters at SEC Media Days why Mississippi State freshman Jeffery Simmons was assigned the number, head coach Dan Mullen didn’t have a clear answer.
“That’s not finalized yet,” Mullen said. “I think they posted the numbers with some discussions we’re going to have. That’s something we’re going to continue to look at.”
Bell’s mother, Linda, who spoke to sports journalist Rick Karle Tuesday, isn’t pleased about the possibility of Simmons wearing her son’s number.