​Why Morgan Freeman is actually the perfect College GameDay guest picker for Lane Kiffin’s return originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.With the “College GameDay” crew in Oxford for Week 3, ESPN seems to have found the perfect celebrity guest picker.On Thursday, Pat McAfee announced on his show that 89-year-old star actor Morgan Freeman will be joining “GameDay” on Saturday ahead of Ole Miss vs. LSU, one of the most highly-anticipated games of the season.Initially, Freeman may appear to be a rather random selection by ESPN — but with his Ole Miss ties, it’s clear who he’ll be rooting for in Saturday’s game.Here’s what to know about Freeman’s Ole Miss fandom.MORE: Is Sam Leavitt’s injury real or fake?Why Morgan Freeman is an Ole Miss fanIt doesn’t take much detective work to understand why Freeman has established himself as a Rebels fan. While he was born in Memphis, Tennessee, a young Freeman was raised in Mississippi; as an infant, he was sent to live with his paternal grandmother in Charleston. Throughout Freeman’s youth, he also lived in Greenwood, Mississippi, before moved to Indiana and Chicago.In the many years since he became a celebrity, Freeman has remained involved in Mississippi politics, charitable endeavors and more. In 2021, he played a role in $1 million being donated to Ole Miss, establishing the Center for Evidence-Based Policing and Reform. Freeman also reportedly still lives in Charleston, Mississippi.When it comes to Rebels athletics, Freeman has frequently been spotted in attendance at Ole Miss basketball games.”I’m not making any predictions for this game tonight but…You’ve got meat eaters and meat coming together..I’m just saying” 😂😂 ~ @morgan_freeman#PMSLivepic.twitter.com/muluEpBPXQ— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 17, 2026Now, he’ll sit alongside McAfee, Kirk Herbstreit and the “GameDay” crew, ready to support his Rebels in one of the games of the year.A legendary matchup needs a legendary guest picker‼️Ole Miss fan Morgan Freeman will be joining College GameDay this Saturday in Oxford, announced just now on the @PatMcAfeeShow! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/5xC4h59pkm— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 17, 2026MORE: Why LSU star defender was served court papers by Ole Miss before Week 3 matchup