Mississippi coach Hugh Freeze supports changing state flag

Mississippi football coach Hugh Freeze says he supports removing the Confederate battle emblem from the state flag. “While I’m not a political figure, I strongly believe it’s time we move in a different direction and change the flag,” Freeze said Thursday before appearing at Southeastern Conference Media Days. Freeze, 45, grew up in Mississippi and said he has “great appreciation” for people who have pride in the state’s heritage, but “that symbol has been hijacked by some groups that mean ill will toward some people.” Both Ole Miss and Mississippi State have issued statements in support of changing the state flag, which has featured the Confederate emblem since 1894. In a 2001 statewide election, voters chose to keep the emblem on the flag. – AP