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Connor Shaw, the former South Carolina quarterback who led the Gamecocks to three consecutive 11-win seasons, is in stable condition after a health scare at his son’s youth football game. Shaw collapsed about 15 minutes into the game he was coaching, according to The State, prompting first responders to rush him to a local hospital.
“Mr. Shaw and his family are in the thoughts and prayers of the employees of Parks and Rec and City of Simpsonville and we wish for a speedy and full recover,” city officials said in a statement.
Gamecock fans remember Shaw fondly as the quarterback who took over in 2011 after Steve Spurrier benched Stephen Garcia. He quickly made the starting job his own, leading South Carolina to victories over SEC rivals Kentucky and Tennessee, along with signature wins against Florida and in-state rival Clemson. The Gamecocks capped that season with a bowl win over Nebraska.
Shaw’s mobility made him a dual-threat nightmare for opposing defenses throughout his career.
His senior season in 2013 was nothing short of spectacular — he threw for 2,447 yards with an incredible 24-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio while adding 558 rushing yards and six scores on the ground. During Shaw’s time as starter, South Carolina consistently ranked in the AP top 10.
The Flowery Branch, Georgia native still holds his place in the Gamecock record books. His 56 career touchdown passes rank second in program history behind only Steve Taneyhill, while his 6,074 passing yards put him sixth all-time at South Carolina.
NFL Career Cut Short by Injuries
Despite his college success, Shaw went undrafted in 2014 before signing with the Cleveland Browns. His NFL career consisted of just one regular-season appearance — a start against the Baltimore Ravens in the 2014 finale where he completed 14 of 28 passes for 177 yards with an interception.
What might have been a promising pro career was derailed by a series of unfortunate injuries. A hand injury in the 2015 preseason sidelined him for that entire campaign before the Browns released him in 2016. The Chicago Bears quickly claimed him off waivers, but preseason injuries in both 2016 and 2017 effectively ended his NFL journey.
Shaw returned to his alma mater in 2020, initially serving as director of player development for the Gamecocks.
When Will Muschamp was fired later that season, Shaw stepped in as interim quarterbacks coach. He then transitioned to director of football relations in 2021 under new head coach Shane Beamer.
Meanwhile, current South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers has been listed as questionable for the Gamecocks’ Week 4 matchup against Missouri. Sellers, who has shown flashes of the dual-threat ability that made Shaw so successful, will be a game-time decision according to team sources.
