Mississippi Hall of Fame: All-SEC Lineman Larry Grantham

Larry Grantham
Photo courtesy Mississippi’s Greatest Athletes

Larry Grantham made a name for himself in football at Ole Miss before going on to do the same in the National Football League.

The Crystal Springs native, born in 1936, was an All-Southeastern Conference end in 1958 and 1959, and played on some of John Vaught’s great Rebel teams from 1957-59.

He was a member of the SEC Team of the Decade in 1959. After his college career, Grantham played in the postseason Hula Bowl game in 1960 and was named Most Valuable Lineman. He was named a member of the Ole Miss Team of the Century in 1993.

His professional career began in 1960 and for three years he played with the American Football League’s New York Titans. He was named All-AFL linebacker each season from 1961-64.

The Titans became the New York Jets and Grantham remained with the franchise, playing through the 1972 season. He was a member of the Super Bowl champion Jets team in 1969. In 1970 Grantham was named the Jet’s Most Valuable Player.

He is one of only 20 players who were in the AFL for all 10 years of its existence, and one of only seven AFL players to play their entire career in one city.

He was the1971 Jets MVP. Grantham was an AFL Players Association Representative for 10 years. He was named the Mississippi Professional Athlete of the Year by the Jackson Touchdown Club in 1970. He wrapped up his pro career with Florida of the World Football League in 1974.

Grantham was known for his consistency and durability in pro football. In 13 seasons, he started all but three games. He came back to Mississippi, where, for a period of time he was the sideline commentator for the Ole Miss Football Radio Network.

Courtesy of Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum director Rick Cleveland, author of Mississippi’s Greatest Athletes. Cleveland can be reached at rcleveland@msfame.com.