Ole Miss' Grove is filled with fans of the Rebels each gameday.(Photo: Ole Miss Sports)
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OXFORD -- The FBI is investigating an anonymous threat made this week towards the center of Ole Miss' campus.
An anonymous handwritten letter, received by Ole Miss late Tuesday, threatened damages to the trees and shrubs in the Grove.
"What's going to happen to y'all on the field Saturday Aint nothing compared to what's going to happen on your beautiful campus. You won't be one of the most pretty campus's Next year. A lot of shrubs and trees are going to die; especially in the grove. Can't stop us." (SIGNED) "Hail State go to hell TSUN"
University police chief Calvin Sellers has forwarded the note to the Jackson office of the FBI, Ole Miss announced in a press release.
No. 18 Ole Miss (8-3, 4-3 SEC) hosts No. 4 Mississippi State (10-1, 6-1 SEC) this Saturday in the Egg Bowl. This year's edition of the annual rivalry game has some extra juice to it: the Bulldogs have a shot at winning the SEC West and making the College Football Playoff with a win against the Rebels.
Law enforcement authorities are taking the threat seriously, Sellers said in a statement, and are encouraging fans to report suspicious behavior. University police are expected to monitor the Grove closely in the coming days.
"This longtime football rivalry has separated families and friends for generations, but while it's spirited, our attention has been focused mostly on the football field," Sellers said. "We encourage everyone to remember that this is a game, after all, not a time for hate. We are hopeful that passions have not escalated to the point that someone is prepared to do damage to a landmark for which all Mississippians take great pride."
This is not the first time a tree has been threatened as part of an SEC West rivalry. Alabama fan Harvey Updyke poisoned the famous oaks at Toomer's Corner in Auburn in 2011. Updyke took the credit for it on the popular radio show hosted by Paul Finebaum, and eventually served 76 days in jail after entering a guilty plea.
5:20 P.M. UPDATE
Ole Miss athletics director Ross Bjork and his Mississippi State counterpart, Scott Stricklin, have released a joint statement asking fans to be responsible and show respect for each other.
"It has been a remarkable year for football in this state and we have much to be thankful for. Both programs and their student-athletes have been on the national stage throughout the year and have represented Mississippi in invaluable ways. We ask that you join us in enjoying the traditions of the Egg Bowl and events surrounding the game in a positive and respectful way."
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