The Clemson football family has had an emotional weekend after learning of the death of former wide receiver Diondre Overton. Many former players around the league who were teammates with Overton at Clemson took to social media to share their heartbreak over the news.
Now, head coach Dabo Swinney shared his sadness over the event, and how the football program is dealing with the loss.
Dabo Swinney Saddened By Loss Of Former Player
Overton was a two-time national champion with the team and a 2019 team captain who was beloved by his coaches and teammates alike. He passed away at just 26 years old after reportedly being the victim of a shooting.
Head coach Dabo Swinney was incredibly emotional when he took the field on Saturday, and he was seen kneeling down and kissing Overton’s plaque that is outside the venue. He was seen wiping away tears:
Emotional stuff: During Tiger Walk just now, Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney stops, kneels and blows a kiss to Diondre Overton’s captain plaque. Overton, a former Tigers wide receiver, died at age 26, the team announced this morning pic.twitter.com/Be0K7vfzL7
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) September 7, 2024
At the end of the game, Dabo opened up about how Overton’s death has affected him and the pain for the football program:
“First of all, it’s been a long day with the news this morning on Diondre Overton,” Swinney said. “Took the wind out of my body this morning. Had an opportunity to speak with his dad — obviously, they’re hurting. It’s hard to process something like this. It’s so senseless. Just a beautiful, young life cut short at 26.”
Fans were touched by Swinney’s tribute:
“Dabo Swinney took a moment during the Tiger Walk with Diondre Overton’s captains brick where flowers and a balloon lay to memorialize the former Tiger. Clemson announced his passing this morning,” Beth Hoole reported.
“Clemson coach Dabo Swinney kneeled and touched former WR Diondre Overton’s co-Captain plaque on Tiger Walk,” a user shared.
“Head coach Dabo Swinney takes a moment with the captains plaque for Diondre Overton, a key part of both the 2016 and 2018 championships, who passed away this weekend at just 26 years old,” ABC’s Noah Chast posted.
“Emotional stuff: During Tiger Walk just now, Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney stops, kneels and blows a kiss to Diondre Overton’s captain plaque,” Chapel Fowler said.
NFL and Former Clemson Players Send Thoughts And Prayers
Many players around the league who are former teammates of Overton shared messages and prayers for the family and their heartbreak over this tragic news:
Defensive lineman Jordan Williams shared:
“I love you with everything in me twin, I wish i could talk to you and just hug you one last time,” Williams wrote on Instagram. “I’m so broken right now I don’t even have the words, please continue to watch over me and the guys and I promise we will continue to make you proud. there isn’t going to be a day that goes by where you aren’t on my mind, thank you for everything I’m blessed to be able to call you a brother for life . . Until we meet again 🕊️💔Bad Boyz 4L 🖤.”
Tee Higgins, Lannden Zanders, and Amari Rodgers added:
“Life isn’t fair. Your time here isn’t everlasting. Treat people with kindness and love them as Jesus would. Love you Dre, your life was such a blessing to everyone you came in touch with,” Zanders wrote.
“I love you 5L… I’m hurtin bad bout this right now. Rest easy Big Play,” said Overton’s Clemson teammate and current Cincinnati Bengal Tee Higgins.
“Life ain’t fair man!!! Please tell your loved ones you love them cause you truly never know,” said Amari Rodgers, another member of the Clemson wide receiver room with Overton.
It is truly a tragedy for a young man to be gone too early from this senseless violence. From all of us at Gridiron Heroics, we send our thoughts and prayers to Overton’s family and the entire Clemson football family who is grieving the loss of a beautiful soul.
May his memory be a blessing and may he rest in peace.
Related: Former Clemson Players And Football Fans Are Heartbroken Over Death Of Wide Receiver
