Freddie Parker

Parker was born on July 6, 1962, in Heidelberg, Mississippi.^[1] He started playing football in sixth grade and when young made it his goal to play professionally.^[2] He attended Heidelberg High School, where he played football.^[3] After high school, he attended Mississippi Valley State University from 1981 to 1986, playing football for the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils from 1982 to 1985.^[2][4]

Parker saw limited playing time in 1982, although he recorded an 86-yard touchdown run against Prairie View A&M, with the Delta Devils compiling a record of 5–5 that year.^[5][6] He ran 55 times and averaged 4.9 yards-per-carry as a sophomore in 1983, being described as a "jack of all trades", as his team went 7–2–1.^[4][7] Parker was one of their leading rushers in 1984, contributing to his team's 9–2 record.^[7][8] He was one of their top runners again as a senior in 1985 and helped the Delta Devils to a record of 8–3.^[9][10]

Parker signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1986.^[2] He scored a touchdown in preseason but suffered an ankle injury and was waived/injured on August 20, 1986.^[11][12] He re-signed with the Packers in 1987 but was released on August 31, 1987.^[13] He later returned to the Packers on September 23 as a replacement player during the 1987 NFL strike.^[13] He appeared in the team's Week 4 game against the Minnesota Vikings, running eight times for 33 yards while recording three receptions for 22 yards, but suffered an injury and did not appear in any more games.^[14][15] He was released by the Packers at the end of the strike on October 19, ending his professional career.^[13]

After his football career, Parker began working for Garland Independent School District in 1991 at the Cooperative Behavior Center.^[2] He then moved to Bussey Middle School and worked there for over 20 years as a special education and physical education teacher.^[2] He also served as their football coach.^[2] In 2013, he was inducted into the Mississippi Valley State Athletic Hall of Fame.^[2]