Jim Weatherly first gained notice as a University of Mississippi football player, and then as a hit songwriter.
And his love for the game led to his greatest success in music, involving first a young Farrah Fawcett and ultimately a legendary recording of his tune «Midnight Train to Georgia» by Gladys Knight and the Pips. Weatherly, who also wrote songs for Ray Price, Glen Campbell, Kenny Rogers and others, died Wednesday at his home in Brentwood, Tennessee, near Nashville, family friend Charlie Monk told the Tennessean newspaper. He was 77, and his family told Monk that Weatherly died of natural causes. Born in Mississippi, Weatherly played on the University of Mississippi football team in an undefeated 1962 season, an SEC championship and a national championship. The next year, he was the starting quarterback when the Rebels repeated as SEC champs.
