The Mississippi Community Development Foundation (MCDF) announces its first Super Bowl Silent Auction. The event will feature several sports memorabilia items including those autographed by Batesville native and former South Panola Tiger and University of Alabama star Deshea Townsend. Townsend is a 10-year veteran in the NFL with all years served with the Pittsburgh Steelers. This will be Townsend’s second trip to the most viewed sports event in the world. In Super Bowl XL, Townsend recorded an interception as the Steelers beat the Seattle Seahawks.

The Super Bowl Silent Auction will be held at Batesville Middle School in on February 1, beginning at 4 p.m. and ending when the game clock of Super Bowl XLIII reads 0:00. Items will be on display prior to and during the game. Winning bidders will be notified by phone and will have until 11:00 p.m. to pickup their items at the school. Payment is expected at the time of pickup with cashier’s check, cash, money order, credit card, and Paypal being the preferred forms of payment. Shipping or delivery will be included at no additional charge to the winning bidder if needed. A complete listing of the items can be found at www.mcdf.us .

Bidders can submit their bids through the following ways:

1. Visit Batesville Middle School from 4 p.m. until the Super Bowl game clock reads 0:00

2. Call 662-934-0929, 662-934-4097, or 662-267-8463 from 4 p.m. until the Super Bowl game clock reads 0:00

3. Email item description and bid amount to paul@mcdf.us from 4 p.m. until the Super Bowl game clock reads 0:00

Please include your name, address, contact phone number(s), and or email address when you bid.

Items available at the auction and their starting bid include:

Autographed #26 Deshea Townsend Authentic Game Jersey $5,000

Autographed Deshea Townsend Game Shoes $500 each

Autographed Deshea Townsend Terrible Towel $100

Autographed Willis Wright coach’s jacket $1,000

#16 Chris Young Authentic Vanderbilt Game Jersey $1000

#41 Antuain Bradford Authentic Vanderbilt Game Jersey $1000

#41 Paul Morgan Authentic Vanderbilt Game Jersey $3500

Additional Items include an assortment of sports paraphernalia from SEC schools, NFL Equipment, South Panola Tigers, Nashville Zoo, Framed Pictures, and other donors. Proceeds from the Annual Super Bowl Silent Auction will benefit Batesville Middle School and Mississippi Community Development Foundation (MCDF). Mississippi Community Development Foundation’s tax exempt status is pending with the IRS and winning bidders should understand that their donations to MCDF will be treated as tax deductible during this pending period. All winning bidders will receive a receipt of their winning bid upon payment.

Contacts include Paul Morgan, 662-934-0929; Danielle Higgins, 662-934-4097 or Tammy Perry,662-267-8463.