Donald Lee is going to fly in like a rock star.
The former West Oktibbeha High School, Mississippi State University and current Green Bay Packers star tight end will descend on the football field at WOHS in a helicopter at 1 p.m. Saturday for Donald Lee Day, a celebration of Lee”s and the Packers” recent Super Bowl win and a chance for him to address his hometown.
Maben Mayor Larry Pruitt said Lee and a host of additional special guests will address the crowd at WOHS before a parade moves the celebration to W.O. Shivers Park in downtown Maben. Former MSU head football coach Jackie Sherrill was originally scheduled to accompany Lee in the helicopter but is unable to attend. Former Bulldog head coach and current Director of Player Personnel Rocky Felker will replace Sherrill.
Joining Lee at his event will be Wayne Madkin, his MSU quarterback; Patrick Burchfield, his high school quarterback; former West Oktibbeha teacher and coach Ken Williamson and Amy Tuck, director of operations at MSU and a Maben native.
A special presentation will be made to Lee to “unveil” a surprise, but Pruitt wouldn”t say what.
“We can”t talk about it now. But people will want to be there to get the picture when they unveil this to Mr. Lee at 1:45 p.m.,” he said.
A band will be on hand to play when the program moves to Shivers Park and barbecue will be donated by Little Dooey and Three Little Pigs in Starkville.
Pruitt hopes Saturday”s events will embolden the youth of Maben to dream big.
“We want to show Don we appreciate him, but most of all encourage young people in the community that just because you”re from a small town doesn”t mean you can”t be successful. Don”t think that you”re second to anyone,” said Pruitt.
District 3 Oktibbeha Supervisor Marvell Howard, who has helped develop Donald Lee Day, said Lee is already an inspiration to local kids.
“He”s an example of how hard work and dedication pays off. And coming from a small school like Maben, that”s just an outstanding example,” said Howard.
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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