Shane Beamer opens up on Alshon Jeffery's impact on program after jersey retirement

Shane Beamer was adamant about Alshon Jeffery’s impact on the South Carolina football program upon his jersey retirement.

The program retired Jeffery’s No. 1 at halftime of the Gamecocks’ 37-30 win over Mississippi State Saturday. Beamer, before he was the head coach of South Carolina, was with the program as Jeffery arrived on campus in 2009.

Safe to say, the two have a special relationship.

“One he’s from South Carolina,” Beamer said postgame. “So for the all recruits in the state of South Carolina … stay home and come play for the University of South Carolina. That’s the first thing I would say and then just the guys that just came in here, they’re in the recruiting process, and we were recruiting him. 

“This is before Twitter and Instagram and all that, but he just wasn’t a guy that was caught up in the hoopla of being a big time recruit, and he’s the same person and came in here and worked really, really hard and had a fantastic career. So I would hope that recruits would learn that you can come to South Carolina and accomplish all your dreams on and off the field.”

Jeffery finished his South Carolina career with 183 catches, 3,402 yards, 23 touchdowns and 16.6 yards per catch. He was First-Team All-SEC in 2010 and a Freshman All-American in 2009.

“He came here, he had an unbelievable career, went to the NFL, had an unbelievable career and won a Super Bowl,” Beamer said. “And then to have him back this weekend was pretty special. He was around yesterday in our office in the facility all day. He talked to the offense during the offensive walkthrough yesterday afternoon …

“I’m glad we were able to play well for him and glad to … He’s someone that I love and care for deeply.”

There was a video at halftime of the game where Beamer spoke about Jeffery. He said he was choked up multiple times.

“That video of me talking at halftime talking about talking to him, that took about four takes because I was getting pretty emotional talking on that video as well,” Beamer said. “So normally I can do those things in one day, but it was hard just because of how I feel about him and so happy for him. There’s nobody more deserving.”

Jeffery finished his NFL career with the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles with 475 catches, 6,786 yards, 46 touchdowns and 14.3 yards per catch. He had one of his best seasons in 2017, his first with the Eagles.

Jeffery helped lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl LII title, caught 57 passes for 789 yards for nine touchdowns and 13.8 yards per catch and had 12 catches for 219 yards and three touchdowns in the postseason, including a touchdown in the Super Bowl.