Millsaps senior defensive back Darren Labit will hold one of the program’s highest honors as this year’s recipient of the Juan Joseph Memorial Award.
The award honors the late Joseph, a record-breaking quarterback for the Majors who went on to play professionally before being killed in 2014, and is voted on by the team each year. The recipient is someone who is not only considered the best returning player but embodies the heart and spirit of Joseph.
Labit will now wear No. 11 in honor of Joesph after wearing No. 7 throughout his first three seasons in Jackson.
“I’m going to wear this with pride. I’m just thankful for all y’all,” Labit told a room full of cheering teammates and coaches after the announcement. “Y’all bring that fire out in me every day to want to compete and keep going.”
Your 2024 JUAN JOSEPH MEMORIAL AWARD recipient is Darren Labit! 🏆 #11
Since 2016, this award is voted on by the team each year as the team’s best returning player that also embodies the heart and spirit of the late, great QB Juan Joseph and the recipient wears #11 in his honor. pic.twitter.com/lbsPWQkIhq
— Millsaps Football (@MajorsFootball) August 30, 2024
Labit appeared in all 10 games for the Majors as a junior in 2023. The Metairie, La., native totaled 23 tackles, one forced fumble, and a blocked kick. He was named to the 2023 SAA All-Sportsmanship Team following the season’s conclusion.
The Juan Joseph Memorial Award was created in 2016. Labit joins former teammates D.B. Bennett (2023) and Ridge Murphy (2022) to receive the honor.
The Majors will kick off the season on Thursday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. in the Riverside Rumble against crosstown rival Belhaven. The annual contest will be held at Harper Davis Field on the campus of Millsaps.
