South Carolina to retire DE Jadeveon Clowney's No. 7 jersey

Posted August 26, 2022 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Cleveland Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney laughs with teammates during the NFL football team's training camp, Thursday, July 28, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Nick Cammett) The Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Cleveland Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney will have his college jersey retired at South Carolina's season opener with Georgia State on Sept. 3.

The school announced the retirement of Clowney's No. 7 on Friday.

'œWe are excited to honor one of our greatest Gamecock football players ever,'ť South Carolina athletic director Ray Tanner said.

Clowney, from Rock Hill, was the country's top recruit when he signed on with the Gamecocks and coach Steve Spurrier in 2011.

Clowney lived up to his billing. He was twice named an AP All-American, won the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation's top defensive end in 2012 and helped the Gamecocks go 11-2 each of his three seasons.

Clowney's most memorable college moment came in the Outback Bowl after his sophomore season when he tackled Michigan runner Vincent Hill in the backfield, popped off Hill's helmet and recovered the fumble he forced.

Clowney was selected No. 1 overall by the Houston Texans in the 2014 NFL draft.

He's entering his ninth season as a pro and second with the Browns.

Clowney is the first football player to have his jersey retired since South Carolina receiver Sterling Sharpe was honored in 1987.

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Cleveland Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, back left, and tight end David Njoku pose with a member of the U.S. Coast Guard after the NFL football team's training camp ended for the day Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard) The Associated Press

FILE - South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) celebrates with fans after defeating Clemson 31-17 in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013, in Columbia, S.C. Cleveland defensive end Jadeveon Clowney will have his college jersey retired at South Carolina's season opener with Georgia State on Sept. 3. The school announced the retirement of Clowney's No. 7 on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro, File) The Associated Press

FILE - South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) stretches during pre-game warmups before the start of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013 in Columbia, S.C. Cleveland defensive end Jadeveon Clowney will have his college jersey retired at South Carolina's season opener with Georgia State on Sept. 3. The school announced the retirement of Clowney's No. 7 on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022.(AP Photo/Stephen Morton, File) The Associated Press

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