Meet "Twig"

Frank "Twig" Branch was born in Sallis, Mississippi, during the Great Depression. Following an adventure filled youth in Sallis, the family moved to Pascagoula, MS. His father worked in the local shipyard during WWII, and Twig played high school football and graduated there. 

Twig later went on to play football at Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, MS, under the tutelage of his high school coach, Dobie Holden. He then went on to play for Mississippi State University for 2 seasons (1950 – 1951), where he earned the name "Twig" as the lightning-fast 125 pound starting quarterback — #0.

During his seasons at State, Twig was nominated 3 times for the “back of the week” after wins over Tennessee (’50), LSU (’50) and Georgia (’51).

He was dubbed with the nickname “Twig” at State by fullback Joe Fortunato, who later played as linebacker for the Chicago Bears. “We had to weigh in each day after practice,” Twig recalled. “My locker was next to Fortunato’s. One day after practice Fortunato looked at me and demanded, ‘What’s your name?’ I looked up at that big monster and said, ‘Branch. Sir.’ “He looked back at me and said, ‘You ain’t nothing but a twig’.”

Twig was later inducted in the Mississippi State Sports Hall of Fame, the Pearl River Community College Sports Hall of Fame and the Mississippi Community and Junior College Sports Hall of Fame. After a stint in the Navy, he enjoyed his own season of pouring into young men as the head high school football coach for the Picayune Maroon Tide.  

Sports aside, Twig counts his greatest accomplishments as his faith and his family. The joy of being a husband, father, "Paw Paw" and grandpa have created a whole new meaning to the "glory days." Twig resides in Picayune, MS, where he enjoys times with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and community of friends. 

Twig gives God the glory for all his success and encourages everyone with Proverbs 3:5-8, which says:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil.
It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.