08/28/2026
Ocean Springs is facing backlash after Thursday night’s football season-opener came and went without a moment of silence or any other public recognition of former Greyhounds standout Nolan Wells.
The game against Meridian was the school’s first football game since Wells’ tragic death over the July 4 weekend. Wells, a 2025 Ocean Springs graduate and former all-region wide receiver, played an important role on the Greyhounds’ 2023 and 2024 region championship teams.
The lack of acknowledgement has sparked criticism and disappointment across South Mississippi, where Wells’ death has generated widespread attention and community support. In the weeks following his death, large crowds gathered in Ocean Springs demanding answers and transparency, while his story continued to resonate throughout the Gulf Coast community.
For some supporters, not hearing Wells’ name mentioned at the first Greyhounds football game since his death was especially difficult considering his history with the program.
