IRVING, Texas (March 6, 2020) – The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame today expressed its sorrow at the passing on March 5 of Jimmie McDowell, who joined the NFF in 1964 as the director of public relations and subsequently served as executive director of the organization from 1970 to 1991. He was 93.
 
"A long-time good friend, I knew him as Mississippi Red," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "Jimmie cared deeply about the NFF and its role in preserving the history of the game. Everybody knew him, and he loved everybody. From the players and coaches to the athletics directors and sports information directors, he knew how to connect with them all. His contributions will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time of loss. May he rest in peace."
 
"Jimmie McDowell's passing marks the end of an era," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "His work spanned decades. A newspaper man and storyteller first, his efforts brought to life so much of the history of our game. We are deeply indebted. He was an engaging personality who rubbed elbows with the elites, the greats of college football, movie stars and politicians. He literally knew everybody from the end of WWII to the turn of the century, and he used his relationships to promote the NFF from coast-to-coast."

"Jimmy was a Foundation stalwart," said former NFF Vice Chairman and Emeritus Board Member George Weiss. "He served for many years under Chairman Vin Draddy with distinction, and was the Foundation's main outreach to many in the collegiate football industry. He was industrious and highly capable. We'll miss his good cheer and great help to our wonderful Foundation."
 
Affectionately known as "Mississippi Red" in a tribute to his home state and hair color, McDowell was born March 26, 1926 in Brookhaven, Mississippi.  After high school, McDowell served in the U.S. Navy Armed Guard from 1944 to 1946 during World War II with stints in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters of operation as a naval gunner.  Following the war, he enrolled at Whitworth (Junior) College before transferring to the University of Mississippi. He graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education.
 
He began his journalism career with the Jackson (Mississippi) Daily News, quickly landing the job of assistant sports editor on a two-man staff. He left Jackson to take a job as sports editor of the Meridian Star for a brief stint.
 
From 1951 to 1955, McDowell served as director of public relations and athletic publicity, the precursor of sports information directors, at Mississippi Southern College before becoming sports editor of the Jackson Daily News in 1955. The following year, he left to host his own sports show on WLBT-TV in Jackson for the next five and one-half years, while also serving as the sports editor at The Jackson State Times. In the early 1960s, he held positions with the Trenton Times in New Jersey as an executive sports editor and columnist and also with the Memphis Commercial Appeal in Tennessee.
 
In 1964, he began his long and distinguished tenure with the NFF as director of public relations, working closely with NFF Chairman Chester LaRoche. In 1970, he assumed the role executive director, remaining in the position until 1991 with the bulk of his service in that position coming during the chairmanship of Vincent DePaul Draddy. He traveled more than 250 days a year, dealing with the NFF's chapters across the country among other duties.
 
McDowell's time with the NFF witnessed many milestones, including raising $3.5 million to build the first College Football Hall of Fame in Kings Island, Ohio, which opened in 1978; the creation of the Hall of Fame Bowl, which was played from 1977-1995, first in Birmingham, Alabama, and later in Tampa, Florida; the launching of the Kickoff Classic, which was played from 1983 to 2002 in East Rutherford, New Jersey; and the presentation of the NFF Gold Medal to one sitting and two future U.S. presidents.
 
He left the NFF in 1991, working for the Liberty Bowl and the Ole Miss Booster Club. He helped start the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, working with the Jackson Touchdown Club in acquiring a building in 1992. Three years after leaving the NFF, he formed the All-American Football Foundation, which honored media members, athletic directors and college presidents as well as players and coaches for nearly two decades.
 
McDowell claimed numerous accolades during his career, including the Football Writers Association of America Bert McGrane Award in 2000; induction into the University of Mississippi Alumni Hall of Fame in 1991; being named an honorary lifetime member of the American Football Coaches Association in 1990; induction into the Mississippi Sportswriters Hall of Fame in 1981; and being named the Outstanding Mississippian of the Year in 1973.