I am a State alum and fan who was a youngster when Archie was at OM. So please let me correct some distorted information here:

Fact:
1. lots of State fans/alums were Archie fans despite the fact that he was at Ole Miss.
Archie’s Family were actually State fans but OM was a much better FB program in the late 60’s so it made sense for him to go there.

2. Archie may have never been a starter much less a star except for an unfortunate injury to a fellow signee. In the 1967 MS High School All-Star Football game (they were held in the summer in those days), Meridian High QB Bob White suffered a career ending knee injury. Why was that significant? Coach Johnny Vaught had signed White as his future starting QB. White’s injury opened the door for Manning who may have never sniffed the field otherwise.

3. Archie was far more than just stats. He was a tremendous player who had a magnetism that just exuded confidence. The team around him was not very good but he made them better by just his presence on the field.

4. He was named the SEC all-quarter century QB (1950-1975).

5. Certainly not over hyped at all. The Bama game was great as was the famous Archie Who game when #1 Tennessee went limping home after being skull dragged 38-0.
I guess they may have know his last name after that game. In this case, there is way more to him than just W-L records and stats etc.

Plus throw in the fact that he is a great ambassador for MS in general, SEC and NFL football and he is justifiably given a place of honor in the circles of football.