Former Clemson Stars DeAndre Hopkins & Deshaun Watson Call For Removal Of John C. Calhoun From Campus

Former Clemson football players, DeAndre Hopkins and Deshaun Watson are calling for their former university to remove John C. Calhoun’s name, who was known for owning slaves, from various parts of the university. 

Clemson was built on Calhoun’s plantation which is said to be where Calhoun had around 80 slaves. In an Instagram post on Monday, Hopkins that Calhoun’s tie to the university is why he does not have Clemson mentioned in his intro prior to games and that it has been something on his mind for a while. “I felt this oppressive figure during my time at Clemson and purposely do not mention the University’s name before NFL games because of it. I am joining the voices of the students and faculty who have restarted this petition to rename the Calhoun Honors College. I urge all Clemson students, football players, and alumni to join us, so the next generation of young Black leaders can be proud of the institution they graduate from. Now is the time for change.”

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Watson followed that up with a post on his Twitter account, supporting his former Houston Texans teammate in Hopkins saying that Clemson should not honor Calhoun. “Clemson University should not honor slave owner John C. Calhoun in any way. His name should be removed from all University property and programming. I am joining the students, faculty & DeAndre to restart this petition to rename the Calhoun Honors College.”

Both players posted a link to a Change.org petition calling for Clemson to remove Calhoun’s name from the university entirely.