Football 7/17/2020 11:47:00 AM Charles Roberts

#FootballFriday Paying Homage to a Valley Legend

Itta Bena, Miss.- As we venture into a new season of Mississippi Valley State Football, we first want to pay homage to the past. This week's Throwback Thursday Player spotlight highlights former Delta Devil Ashley Ambrose.

Ambrose, who starred as a member of the Delta Devils defense between 1988-1991, went on to be drafted in the 2nd round of the 1992 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. Ambrose would parlay this opportunity into becoming a 13-year NFL veteran. He played for the Indianapolis Colts from 1992-1995, Cincinnati Bengals from 1996-1998, New Orleans Saints 1999, Atlanta Falcons from 2000-2002, and a second stint with the New Orleans Saints from 2003-2004. Ambrose best season came in 1996 with the Cincinnati Bengals where he had 50 total tackles, a career-high eight interceptions, a defensive touchdown, and a forced fumble. He ended the season being named to his first and only Pro Bowl appearance while also being named AFC Defensive Back of the Year and All-Pro. His career stats include five playoff appearances, 512 tackles, 42 interceptions, 35 pass deflections, and five forced fumbles.

After his playing career ended, Ambrose remained on the field, serving as a defensive back's skills coach. He would begin his coaching career in 2008 as defensive technical intern and later defensive backs coach for the University of Colorado. Other coaching stops include secondary coach for the University of California Berkeley from 2011-2012, New Orleans Saints in 2013 as minority intern, cornerbacks coach at University of Idaho in 2014, Texas State University in 2015, Boise State University in 2016, and back to the University of Colorado where he coached defensive backs.

Players this year will take the field looking to replicate the legacy that players like Ashley Ambrose left at the University. It will be fun seeing who takes the mantle as the next great Delta Devil leaving their mark in the history books. As his accolades show, Ambrose has represented his alma mater Mississippi Valley State University in a glorious manner with his career as both a player and coach. As we get ready to christen another chapter in MVSU Football History, let's not forget about those who paved the way.

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