I really hate to keep revisiting subjects with you every Sunday, but it is hard to ignore what was accomplished in the state of Mississippi this year.

I know I have mentioned before in previous columns just how proud I am in be from the State of Mississippi, and this is one of those rare times where we all can agree on something for maybe one time. I have written in the past of just how successful both Ole Miss and Mississippi State were in 2014, but the great sportsmanship of both of these programs is the real story.

The two schools are, of course, not the best of friends, and I seriously doubt the two head coaches will be exchanging gifts this Christmas season, but what happened after the Egg Bowl Saturday told me a lot of each one of the universities.

I really don’t need to revisit the contest that much because Ole Miss simply dominated the game in winning, 31-17, but sometimes football just isn’t that important. The Mississippi State football team was on its way home Saturday after the game and obviously disappointed in many different ways after its visit to Oxford.

The dreams of an SEC Championship and a possible National Championship were snatched away after the loss to its arch-rival, so it’s safe to say that the mood on the bus was at a low point for all involved. I have been on many bus trips with teams that have just lost a disappointing game or had its season come to an end, and I can tell you it is one of the more uncomfortable situations to be around in sports.

I have made short trips and long trips with teams that were in those shoes, and you just feel bad right there with every player.

The MSU staff and team were headed home Saturday night when one of the team buses was involved in an accident that could have been a lot worse. I heard the news almost immediately after it happened, and the concern went straight to the safety of everyone of board of course.

The pictures of the accident instantly made national news, and everyone on board was unharmed, which was a blessing from the good Lord. I guess when you step back and look at everything that happened last Saturday in northern Mississippi, the last thing one anyone’s mind was football.

I know that sounds like a very bad statement to make, and especially when it comes from someone who supports Mississippi State, but let’s look at the bigger picture.

The MSU players came out of the accident unharmed, and God ultimately had his hands in that situation, which is more amazing than any football game. I thought the more amazing thing that I read over the days following the accident was the fact that I had heard Ole Miss had helped in the trip home from the Bulldogs to Starkville.

I could never find a published article this week that had said that Ole Miss sent a bus to help MSU get home, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they did. I am sure there was a published article somewhere in the world, but I stay on the go so much with my work, and I probably just missed it. I have always thought the world of Hugh Freeze at Ole Miss and his is such a man of high character.

I am very sure that it didn’t take the staff at Ole Miss very long to make the decision to help out its foes from Starkville. I am sure that this story is true about Ole Miss sending a bus to help MSU and that speaks volumes I believe in a situation that could have turned sour quick with people being seriously injured.

The second part of this story came on Tuesday night in Jackson at the presentation of the Conerly Trophy. The award is presented to the best college football player in the Magnolia State each year, and this season the award was presented to MSU quarterback Dak Prescott.

The junior had an amazing season behind center for the Bulldogs and is the discussion to at least make the trip to New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony. The one thing that I took from talking with people that attended the ceremony was just how humble Prescott was to accept the award.

I was not completely surprised to hear that about this remarkable young man, but happened during the night did surprise most people. Prescott was seen posing for a picture with two boys at the ceremony, and the MSU quarterback was asked to pose for the picture holding an Ole Miss football with the young men. Prescott gladly took the picture with the kids, and everyone is still talking about it even a week after the game. I know most people would have said no chance to an MSU guy doing something like that, but it once again speaks volumes.

I think we should all be so proud to support two programs like this right here in the State of Mississippi. I wrote several weeks ago about how special it was to have both programs in the national spotlight, but these are things that will probably never be mentioned around the country.

We should be proud that the two schools are willing to drop their arms to help each other in a time of need, and it is more important to show great character to our children. I can promise you that our kids are watching us in how we deal with certain situations and how we acts as adults in our community.

It is important to set a good example for our kids, and this is a great teaching tool for the youth in our state. I think sometimes we get so wrapped up in sports that we miss the big picture and that really is a shame. We need to set a good example for our kids, whether it is on social media, the way we act in the community or to what we expose them. I find in disappointing in the way some adults act when it comes to sports, but that could be a whole other column.

Robby Atkinson is the sports information director at Meridian Community College.