A new study shows that those born in Mississippi have one of the best chances of becoming a professional athlete.
According to The Sports Geek, which utilized data from current and former athletes to determine which states produce the most, Mississippi ranks second with 1 in every 3,161 people going on to play sports at the highest level.
The study also found that Mississippi is the second most likely state behind Louisiana to become an NFL player (1 in 4,330) and the third most likely behind California and Alabama to become an MLB player (1 in 18,847).
While a lot of different elements are at play as to why Mississippi’s athletic prowess reaches the professional ranks, The Sports Geek pointed out two in particular: year-round temperate climate and stellar high school programs.
“It’s no coincidence that Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama lead NFL odds. Athletes can train year-round, protecting their game while their northern counterparts are stuck shoveling snow,” a portion of the study reads, adding, “Mississippi brings the heat with a growing baseball culture and standout high school programs. Southern grit meets America’s pastime, creating an unexpected MLB pipeline.”
Overall, Mississippi ranked only behind Louisiana in producing the most professionals across all sports. The top five was rounded out by Alabama, Florida, and Georgia with the next five being Hawaii, South Carolina, California, Minnesota, and Ohio.