Pernell McPhee inducted into the 2024 Sports Hall of Fame

Donna Thomas/LetsGoICC.com

Pernell McPhee, a two-time junior college All-American football player who led the state in quarterback sacks as both a freshman and sophomore with 33 during his career at Itawamba Community College was inducted into the Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame, Apr. 23, in Pearl.

His extensive list of state, regional and national honors included two-time all-state and all-Region 23 player. McPhee was named first-team preseason junior college All-America by the National Junior College Athletic Association and J.C. Gridwire Magazine prior to his sophomore campaign. He earned the associate's degree in physical education in December 2008.

At Mississippi State University, McPhee made the 2009 and 2010 All-SEC first team, served as the 2010 team captain and was SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week. He was a fifth-round NFL draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens and a member of their 2013 Super Bowl Championship team. He also played for the Chicago Bears and the Washington Redskins. McPhee was inducted into Itawamba Community College's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019.

McPhee attended Pahokee (Fla.) High School where he only played one year of football, starting on both sides of the ball as offensive tackle and defensive end. He was also a two-year starter in basketball. He originally signed with the University of Southern Mississippi out of high school before selecting ICC.

For seven years, he hosted the Pernell McPhee Family and Friends Football Camp in Tupelo to give back to the community that helped shape him.

When he was inducted into ICC's Athletic Hall of Fame, McPhee said, "That's my second home. I got my first college degree from there. It's part of my heart, it's part of my soul, it's part of my spirit. It shaped me up to being a great man because it was part of the journey of me becoming the young man I am today."

He and his wife, Davia Barrett McPhee, have three children.