Oft maligned during last season by both ESPN football analysts and the notorious, inpatient Philadelphia Eagles fans for a perceived lack of toughness, Forest native Todd Pinkston found a much more hospitable and receptive audience in Vicksburg.

Pinkston, a sixth-year wide receiver with the NFC champion Eagles, was in town Friday to pick up the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame’s Pro Athlete of the Year.

Instead of hearing derisive terms like “alligator arms” and such, the former Southern Miss star received praise Friday night at the Vicksburg Convention Center for his sportsmanship and his off-the-field work in the Forest community.

“It’s definitely alright to be back in Mississippi and win this award,” Pinkston said after the ceremony.

Jackson Touchdown Club member Dick Hall, who made the presentation to Pinkston during the early moments of the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, said a big reason Pinkston was selected as the state’s best pro athlete was his work in the community.

“Recently, Todd has started an after school program in Forest to help kids make progress with their school work,” Hall said.

The “Todd Pinkston Enhancement Program” is operated out of the Slaughter Memorial Library in Forest. It provides the Forest youth an opportunity to meet with tutors who help them with school work and gives them sound advice for other life problems and issues.

Pinkston personally monitors the progress of the kids by regularly checking report cards throughout the year. Since his involvement began, most students in the program have increased their academic performance by one letter grade.

During his speech, the 6-foot-3, 180-pound Pinkston thanked his family and friends for their help making him a success in the NFL and in his community.

Pinkston spends his offseason time in Hattiesburg. He is a regular at Southern Miss’ team workouts during the spring.

During his Southern Miss career (1996-99), Pinkston made at least one catch in his last 41 games. As a senior, he made 48 receptions for 977 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was named third team All-America after that campaign. Later that April, he was selected in the second round by the Eagles.

In five seasons with the Eagles, Pinkston has made 62 starts at wide receiver. He started all 19 games last year, including Super Bowl XXXIX, where the Eagles fell to the Patriots 24-21 in Jacksonville, Fla.

With the addition of All-Pro wideout Terrell Owens, Pinskton’s 2004 numbers were actually better than his 2003 season. For the year, he caught 36 passes for 676 yards and one touchdown.

His best season came in 2002 when he caught 60 passes for 798 yards and seven touchdowns. This season, he helped Philadelphia reach its first Super Bowl since 1980.

“I just try to contribute the best way I can to the team,” Pinkston said of the past season. “Having T.O. obviously made us a better team but I think I made some big contributions this year.”

And as far as the TV people and the notoriously vicious Philly fans go, Pinkston said nothing fazes him.

“I don’t let what the fans or the media say bother me,” he said.

It’s April now and this is the third month of the offseason for Pinkston and the Eagles.

“Things are going fine and I’m enjoying this offseason. We have our first mini camp right after the draft and then, before you know it, training camp is here.”