'It's a blessing and an honor': Jadeveon Clowney reacts to jersey retirement
South Carolina football great Jadeveon Clowney will become the fifth Gamecock to have his jersey retired during the season opener on Saturday night.
The 2012 SEC Defensive Player of the Year and two-time first-team All-American will join the likes of Heisman winner George Rogers and College Football Hall of Famer Sterling Sharpe.
“For me to be up there next to a Hesiman Trophy winner, it’s phenomenal especially for me and my family,” Clowney said. “I always wanted to represent my last night the best that I could do…it’s a blessing and a honor.”
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Clowney joked that he knew the call to retire his jersey would come eventually, adding that USC had tried to make it happen for a “few years” but calendars just hadn’t aligned yet.
“I’m just happy to be here, I never saw this coming…couldn’t do it without my teammates at the time, my family, my friends, just everybody that took part during those years I was here.”
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Though his jersey is being retired on Saturday, the number seven will still be available for Spencer Rattler and Jordan Strachan to wear this season. Clowney joked that he was much more worried about Strachan, a fellow defensive end, wearing it than Rattler.
“I was like I gotta check this guy out, I hope he’s out there ballin’,” Clowney said. “I’m much more worried by him in the quarterback. I just hope they go out there and ball, anybody, all the guys that put that USC jersey on. It’s an honor to wear it.”
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South Carolina (0-0) vs Georgia State (0-0)
When: Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 – 7:30 PM ET
Where: Williams-Brice Stadium – Columbia, SC (77,559)
Broadcast: SEC Network+/ESPN+ (Courtney Lyle, Chris Doering, Tamara Brown)
Local Radio: Gamecock IMG Sports Network (Todd Ellis, Tommy Suggs, Jamar Nesbit)
Satellite Radio: Sirius/XM 132 or 191
Odds: South Carolina -12.5 (O/U 55.5)
Weather: A few clouds, 71°, 22% chance of rain
South Carolina Injury report: WR Corey Rucker (out), RB Christian Beal-Smith (out), P Kai Kroeger (expected to play)
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