As South Carolina prepared for its matchup against Missouri in Week 4, Shane Beamer couldn't help but think of one Gamecock: Connor Shaw.
Back in 2013, Shaw authored one of the greatest comebacks in Gamecock history. Battling a bum shoulder, a knee injury, and even the flu, Shaw wasn't even named the starter by then head coach Steve Spurrier at Missouri. But with the Gamecocks down 17-0 late in the third quarter, Shaw entered and completely rescripted the game. He went 20-for-29 and 201 yards, including three touchdowns, guiding South Carolina to a 27-24 double-overtime win remembered as the "Miracle at Mizzou."
“Everybody talks about that game he had out there in ’13,” Beamer said recently. “When we got the ball back last week with six minutes left, that popped in my head. I thought, ‘We’re in this. We’re going to go down the field. We’re going to score. It’s going to be a great win like Connor had.’ We weren’t able to get it done, which I hate.”
In recent week, Shaw has been on the minds of every Gamecock as he collapsed while coaching his son's youth football team. He was immediately rushed to Prisma Health Greenville Memorial, where his condition remained unknown for several days. Positive reports started to hit social media, confirming he was stable, and finally revealed that he had been released from the hospital.
Then came another moment that Gamecock Nation won't forget anytime soon.
Prior to kick off against Kentucky on Saturday night, emerging from the iconic "Cockaboose" as the South Carolina Celebrity Starter, was Connor Shaw. Stepping out into the public eye, greeted with a deafening ovation, Shaw raised his arms, declaring, "Praise Jesus! Gamecocks fight until the very end. Let's do this!" Moments later, he led the traditional pre-game chant, "GAME...COCKS!"
The Gamecocks fed off the energy from Shaw, rolling to their first SEC win of the season in a 35-13 victory.
After the game, Beamer reflected on Shaw's appearance, "It’s a testament to his toughness that a week ago there were questions if he’d even survive. And nine days later, he’s out here on the field leading the Gamecock chant? Come on, man, that gives me chills.”
For South Carolina fans everywhere, the sight of Connor Shaw once again rallying the faithful wasn't just nostalgic. It was a living reminder of the program's grit, heart, and belief that no matter the odds, Gamecocks always fight until the end.