As South Carolina geared up for its clash with Missouri last week, head coach Shane Beamer found himself thinking about a familiar name — legendary Gamecock quarterback Connor Shaw.
Twelve years ago, Shaw authored one of the most iconic moments in South Carolina football history: the “Miracle in Missouri.” Battling a shoulder injury, a torn knee ligament, and even the flu, Shaw didn’t start against the Tigers in 2013. But with the Gamecocks trailing 17-0 late in the third quarter, he entered the game and completely flipped the script. Shaw went 20-for-29 with 201 yards and three touchdowns, leading South Carolina to a stunning 27-24 double-overtime victory.
“Everybody talks about that game he had out there, whatever year that was — ’13,” Beamer recalled. “When we got the ball back last week with six minutes left, I mean, that popped in my head: ‘We’re in this. We’re going to go down the field; we’re going to score; we’re going to have the game-winning touchdown. It’s going to be a great win like Connor had.’ We weren’t able to get it done, which I hate.”
But Shaw wasn’t just on Beamer’s mind because of his past heroics. Just days earlier, the Gamecock great had collapsed while coaching his nine-year-old son’s youth football game. Witnesses said he needed CPR before being rushed to Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital, where he spent several days in intensive care.
Thankfully, updates soon turned positive. The city of Simpsonville announced Shaw was in stable condition, and by the weekend, Beamer confirmed during an in-game interview that Shaw had been released.
“Connor Shaw, I know you’re watching back in South Carolina,” Beamer said on the SEC Network broadcast. “I know you went home today and we’re thinking of you, my man. God bless.”
The story came full circle the next Saturday. To the surprise of many — including Beamer himself — Shaw stepped out of a “Cockaboose” onto the field at Williams-Brice Stadium as South Carolina’s Celebrity Starter.
“I did not know that until my amazing wife, Emily, texted me and told me that he was going to be the Celebrity Starter,” Beamer admitted. “I got a lot of stuff on my plate each week. They don’t tell me who the Celebrity Starter is. I got other things to worry about. So, I didn’t even know he was doing that until Emily texted me.”
The crowd roared as Shaw greeted them with an emotional message: “Praise Jesus! Gamecocks fight until the very end. Let’s do this!” before leading the traditional “GAME! … COCKS!” chant.
The inspirational moment seemed to lift the team, who went on to secure their first SEC win of the season with a dominant 35-13 victory over Kentucky. For Beamer, it was a moment he won’t forget.
“[I] love what he’s about and love him as a person. He’s a great friend to me, a great friend of this program. And [I’m] so happy that he’s better,” Beamer said. “It’s a testament to his toughness that, a week ago, there was questions on Thursday night about, ‘Would he even survive?’ And then, nine days later, he’s out here on the field, leading the Gamecock chant? Come on, man, that gives me chills thinking about [it].”
