By By Will Bardwell/staff writer
December 28, 2003
The Rogers family is packing its suitcases and heading for one last Ole Miss bowl game.
Ellen Rogers' baby boy, senior Rebels place kicker Lee, will play his last college football game on Friday when No. 16 Ole Miss meets No. 21 Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl. It will be the third bowl game in which Rogers has played after the 2000 Music City Bowl and the 2002 Independence Bowl, and the first January bowl for any Ole Miss player in 13 years.
The Meridian native and 1999 Lamar School graduate made two trips to Shreveport, La., for the Independence Bowl during his Ole Miss career, the first coming during his redshirt season in 1999. His family did not follow for that contest, but since then, Ellen said she and her husband Walter have been to every Rebels game, both home and away.
And while her son's bowl games have been a blessing, Ellen said they have also demanded flexibility during the holiday season. Lee was away from home on Christmas Day a year ago for the Dec. 27 contest against Nebraska.
This year, though, the Rebels play on Jan. 2, allowing Lee to be at home with his family after Ole Miss coach David Cutcliffe let players go home on Dec. 21.
He left for Dallas on Friday, and will be joined on Thursday by mother, father, sister and about 17,000 Ole Miss fans fans that Ellen has observed over the years to be of a more rabid breed.
The family will take in the Cotton Bowl parade on Jan. 1 and the pre-game pep rally, but probably will not meet up with Lee until after his final game to give him space during his one last battle with his teammates.