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The Clemson Tigers have played football in Memorial Stadium since 1942. “Death Valley” as it’s better known, has become one of the most daunting places to play for scheduled opponents.
In fact, the Tigers recently boasted an unbelievable 40-game home win streak which spanned six seasons before it was snapped against hated rival South Carolina in 2022. It’s a tough place to play… for most.
Gamecock star Jadeveon Clowney played just one game in Death Valley. That 2012 performance would be record-setting.
The edge rusher racked up 4.5 sacks in a 27-17 win, marking the highest single-game total in the venue’s storied history.
In one game, he bested 70 years of past play! That included every player to ever don a Clemson uniform.
On Thursday, he reminded those Tigers of his dominance.
Jadeveon Clowney returned to Death Valley.
This time, as a member of the Carolina Panthers. The NFL squad held preseason practice in Clemson this week, allowing Clowney to visit the campus of a school he debated playing for.
“[Clemson] probably has one of the best recruiting setups,” he said while speaking to the media. “The only problem for me, was that it was here… I just left [the country] in South Carolina. I wanted to try a little city life down there in Columbia.”
That decision would have a major impact in the rivalry.
The Gamecocks were a perfect 3-0 against the Tigers with Clowney on the roster, and they’ve gone just 1-8 since he left. That success and failure isn’t all due to the defender’s play, but he certainly didn’t hurt South Carolina’s chances!
Clowney made sure to remind the Tigers of the past while he was in town.
Panthers DE and former Gamecock Jadeveon Clowney: “It’s easy to come back” to Clemson since he won here so much at USC. But adds Clemson has a great recruiting setup and he’s got “big love” for Dabo Swinney pic.twitter.com/YdY4ueUkuW
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) August 2, 2024
“I had no problem coming back, because I know what happened when I was here.”
Jadeveon Clowney made an impact in the Carolinas as a college star, and now, he’s looking to do the same as an NFL veteran.
The former No. 1 overall pick is already making waves after being signed by the Panthers this offseason as he looks to match a career-high sack output seen a year ago.
Carolina kicks off preseason play on August 8th against the Patriots. The regular season begins a month later against division rival New Orleans.