April 29, 2008

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Staff, sponsors and supporters of the Southern Heritage Classic presented by FedEx congratulate Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie on being the No. 16 pick by the Arizona Cardinals in the first-round 2008 NFL draft last weekend.

Rodgers-Cromartie has the distinction of being the first Tennessee State University player to be taken in the first round NFL draft since Ed "Too Tall" Jones in 1974. He started for Tennessee State University in four straight Southern Heritage Classic (SHC) games and Fred Jones Jr., founder of the Southern Heritage Classic, remarks: "Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is among the top tier of the high caliber players found in the nation's universities. Everyone involved in the Southern Heritage Classic is proud to be associated with him and extends their congratulations on this latest accomplishment.

We wish him all the best in what I'm sure will be a stellar football career." Cornerback Rodgers-Cromartie's achievements include becoming the eleventh player in NCAA FCS competition to gain over 300 yards (314) on interception returns in a career. He also set a school all-time record with four interception returns for touchdowns.

Congratulations are offered to Jaymar Johnson of Jackson State University, also, on his selection in the sixth round by the Minnesota Vikings. He is the first player from a Mississippi university to be drafted by the NFL this year and the first from Jackson State University in eight years.

Tennessee State University (TSU) and Jackson State University (JSU) are long-running rivals and the two football teams are the most frequent to be matched against each other in the annual Southern Heritage Classic football game. The Southern Heritage Classic again features JSU and TSU this year and will be held at the Liberty Bowl Stadium on Sept. 13, 2008.

About the Southern Heritage Classic Established in 1990, the Southern Heritage Classic was founded by Fred Jones Jr., a veteran of the national entertainment industry and owner/limited partner of the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. The Southern Heritage Classic is the premier sports and entertainment event in Memphis and is produced by SMC Entertainment. For more information about the Southern Heritage Classic, visit online at www.southernheritageclassic.com.

This article was contributed by SMC Entertainment.