Two Columbus High School football players will be able to attend college this fall with more money in their pockets, courtesy of a pork skin distributor.
Deon Taylor and T.J. Robinson were recipients of $1,250 scholarships through Rudolph Foods, the distributor of Lee’s Pig Skins. The scholarships were awarded in connection with Rudolph Food’s “Friday Night Football” fundraiser and scholarship contest.
“Lee’s Pig Skins did a promotion with us this past season,” Columbus High Athletic Director Rusty Greene said. “They were kind enough to give us supplies and help our boosters. Surprisingly, they contacted us and said we had won a scholarship for $2,500 to give to some of our students to help with college. We picked these individuals. We were very proud to have them on the team, and this will maybe give them a little extra spending money to get them to college.”
Lee’s Pig Skins donated 500 bags of pork rinds and cracklins (sic) to be sold during home football games.
“Columbus High School students collected the most Pork Rind Appreciation Day ballots,” Columbus distributor Earnest Lang said. “Pork Rind Appreciation Day is Super Bowl Sunday — pork skins and pig skins go together. We appreciate the students’ hard work, and we are honored to be able to present these scholarships.
Taylor said he would be attending Mississippi State University in the fall. Robinson is undecided but said he is leaning towards community college.
Jeff Clark was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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