Tommy Walters—1960-61 Wildcat Football 
1961 National Champions 

If you don't immediately remember the on-the-field exploits of Walters and many of his teammates of that era, rest assured you're not alone, Despite winning two state championships and one national championship, standout players like Walters seldom got to play an entire game.

In 1961, the Wildcats not only finished at 10-0-0 and won the state and national championships under legendary head coach Dobi Holde, but they also outscored their opponents by astounding 446-47 margin.

Walters, 58, who now makes his home in Magnolia, Tex., did play enough as split end to be voted the state's most valuable lineman in 1961.

Walter's accomplishments on the football field have earned him a place int eh PRCC Sports Hall of Fame and was inducted Oc. 28 during 2000 Homecoming festivities.

Walters went on to star at the University of Southern Mississippi and played four seasons with the National Football League's Washington Redskins.

"When I think about Pearl River, I get warm and fuzzy. After I left there, football got less and less fun. When I got to the NFL, the euphoria was great and being around players like Sam Huff was a thrill, but as far as enjoying it? It was nothing like Pearl River."

Following an outstanding high school career at Petal, Holden invited Walters and four of his teammates for a tryout. Walters made the 1960 team.
The '60 Wilcats lost their first game to East Mississippi before winning the rest of them to finish 9-1-0 and earn a share of the state title with Northwest. They also defeated San Angelo(Tex.) 50-20 in the Hospitality Bowl that year.

Expectations were high heading into 1961. Even the players themselves knew something good was about to happen. As the 1961 scores attest, they were not far off the mark with their predictions.

For many players on the 1961 Wildcat team, their careers were far from over.

"I remember 22 of us off that team received scholarships to four-year colleges," said Walters. "This team was without a doubt the greatest junior college team ever in the state."

Unfortunately, the season ended on a down note. The Wildcats had an invitation to play in the Junior Rose Bowl, but integration kept them from making the trip. 

Walters explains what he remembers: "We had to wait and see which team was going to win in California. If Bakers field had won, they did not have black players, we were going to play them. They didn't win. That was a state issue back then and the state of Mississippi made the decision we couldn't go. We were pretty upset about it."

The Wildcats were still voted national champs and five players were named to the all-state team, including Walters.

Walters went on to play two years at USM, where he was inducted into the school's Sports Hall of Fame in 1981.

The 'Skins drafted him in the 17th round of the 1964 draft as a receiver defensive back. His rookie salary was $10,000. 

Walters started several games as a defensive back. He intercepted three passes in 1964, returning one for a touchdown, and picked off two passes in 1965, including one thrown by Johnny Unitas. Two knee surgeries ended his career in 1967.

Walters then became a DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) agent and was transferred to Houston. He left that job after nearly eight years and went into electronics end of the private security business. He did that for 23 years before recently selling his company.

Walters and his wife Renda reside in Magnolia, Tex. They are the parents of a son, Ty, also of Magnolia; and a daughter, Wendy, of The Woodlands, Tex.; two grandchildren.