JACKSON, Miss. --- Former Mississippi College and New Orleans Saints running back Fred McAfee was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday night (Aug. 1) at the Jackson Convention Complex.

On a night that saw MC's all-time leading rusher be honored, five other Mississippians were recognized for their legendary efforts in Mike Dennis (Ole Miss RB), Brett Favre (Green Bay Packers QB), Steve Knight (Basketball coach at William Carey), Clarence Weatherspoon (Basketball player at Southern Miss) and Gwen White (pioneer for women's sports).

McAfee joins the likes of Edward "Goat" Hale and Stanley Robinson, who were members of the first Hall of Fame Class of 1961.

"We could not be more proud of Fred for his induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame," said athletic director Mike Jones. "He is an outstanding ambassador and representative for Mississippi College, and we are proud that he is a Choctaw."

McAfee began his career at Mississippi College in 1987 and is the MC career leader in rushing yards (4,416), attempts (811) and touchdowns (38). He helped lead the Choctaws to Gulf South Conference championships in 1988 and 1990 and a trip to the Division II national championship game in 1989, a game the Choctaws won, 3-0, over Jacksonville State.

In 1990, McAfee rushed for an MC record, 1,583 yards with 17 touchdowns as the Choctaws won their third GSC title, overall. For his efforts that season, McAfee earned All-American honors and finished third in the Harlon Hill Trophy voting, honoring the top Division II player in the nation. In 2011, he was elected into the NCAA Division II College Football Hall of Fame.

McAfee was known as a positive influence in the locker room during his time in the National Football League, a career that spanned 16 seasons (1991-2006) and saw him play for the Saints, Arizona Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played in 194 games in his career, including 122 contests in two stints with New Orleans. Picked by the Saints in the sixth round of the 1991 NFL Draft, he played for three of the club's five division champion teams and has been affiliated with the team for all five, including the 2009 Super Bowl XLIV Championship campaign.

McAfee first played for the Saints from 1991-93, leading New Orleans in rushing as a rookie with a career-high 494 yards. That season the Saints won their first NFC West title. After a seven-game stint with the Cardinals in 1994, he was signed by the Steelers later that season and stayed until 1997, serving as special teams captain for two years.

He rejoined the Saints in 2000 and was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2002 for his stellar special teams play. His final game was the 2006 finale vs. Carolina, and one of the final carries of his career was a six-yard run for a touchdown in the third quarter.

Currently in his seventh year as the Director of Player Personnel for the Saints, McAfee has a wide-range of responsibilities centered around helping players and their families improve their quality of life as well as invest in their futures. He also organizes continuing college education opportunities, internships, life skills training seminars, financial education classes and family assistance.