On Friday, the South Carolina Gamecocks announced that they are going to retire Jadeveon Clowney’s jersey number.
Honoring a legend! See you soon, @clownejd! pic.twitter.com/jsP26C5PwI
— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) August 26, 2022
The program’s athletic director was excited to retire Clowney’s number, and Clowney deserves to have his number retired there.
“We are excited to honor one of our greatest Gamecock football players ever, Jadeveon Clowney, by retiring his jersey at our first game of the season. He helped lead us to three 11-win seasons as one of the best players in college football.”
How Did Clowney Perform in South Carolina?
Jadeveon Clowney is easily one of the best players to ever come out of South Carolina. During his three years there, he had 129 tackles, 47 tackles for losses, 24 sacks, seven passes defended, nine forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
Clowney’s only problems in the NFL have been injuries, but other than that, he’s been a very good player. He looks even better when you see some scout’s opinions on him back in 2014.
“I would not put my job on the line for that guy. Who has a profile like that that’s been successful in the NFL? Lazy. Not playing hard … I think his physical talent is being overblown. At what point in his life has he had to push himself? Now you’re going to give him this money and say, ‘Do something you’ve never done in your life before. Against guys you just can’t run over.’ I would not do it.”
After that opinion from a scout, Clowney went on to be the number one overall pick for the Houston Texans. He has also earned three Pro Bowl appearances and was selected to be an All-Pro.
Clowney is now a member of the Cleveland Browns as an edge rusher, and his jersey number is scheduled to be retired during the Gamecocks’ season opener on September 3rd.