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Senior football players and their favorite teacher, principal or coach stand outside Natchez High School after the students presented their jersey for the faculty to wear on Senior Night. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Christian Edney presents his football jersey to Angela James.

Kristan Hardin presents his jersey to John Ferguson

Manager Casey Thompson presents her jersey to Larry Wesley

Jeremiah Tillery presents his jersey to Shareka Hargrave

Nicholas Anderson presents his jersey to Katrina McNeal.

#12 Charzell Woodfork gives a high five to Jessica King Green after giving her his football jersey to wear.

#12 Charzell Woodfork hugs Jessica King Green after giving her his football jersey to wear.

Quarterback Kaden Walton gave his football jersey to Chameiko Griggs.

Quarterback Kaden Walton gave his football jersey to Chameiko Griggs.

#7 Jekari Douglas presents his jersey to Angela Reynolds

Head football coach Steve Davis Sr. received a jersey from #18 Jayden Johnson

NATCHEZ — Natchez High School has started a unique tradition that is taking elementary through high school faculty by surprise.

The senior football players each chose one teacher, principal or coach who has influenced them the most through their high school career to wear their gold jersey on Senior Night, which is the Bulldog’s final home game of the season this Thursday, Nov. 7, against Brookhaven High School.

One by one, the faculty members were called over Tuesday morning to the Capital of Bulldog Nation — the Natchez High School Library — not knowing what to expect, where they were greeted by the player who presented them with their jersey to wear Thursday.

Of course, each of them accepted. Coaches who couldn’t wear the jerseys instead would give them to their spouse to wear in the stands, said head football coach Steve Davis Sr.

Davis himself received a jersey from #18 Jayden Johnson, the last person to present a jersey Tuesday.

“I most definitely was not expecting that,” Davis commented after the presentation.

It was emotional for many of the teachers honored. Each question of “Will you wear my jersey on Senior Night?” was answered with a lot of yeses, with smiles and hugs.

Chameiko Griggs raised her hands up in surprise as she received a jersey from #9, quarterback Kaden Walton.

“I thought I was in trouble,” she said of being called to the high school.

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