Howard’s Rock – the icon of the Clemson University football program – has been vandalized by as-yet-unknown assailants.
In fact a huge chunk of the famous stone has been completely removed, almost as if someone took a jackhammer to it. Initial reports indicate the incident took place nearly two weeks ago, and the Clemson athletics department has been working with local police in an effort to identify and apprehend the assailants.
“We take vandalism, especially of such an important part of our history, very seriously,” athletics director Dan Radakovich told Clemson Insider‘s Will Vandervort, who broke the story late Wednesday. “Police are investigating.”
Take a look at the damage …
(Click to enlarge)
Pic: Via
Wow … we haven’t seen anything that graphic since the John F. Kennedy autopsy pics.
In addition to the damage done to the rock itself, a glass case protecting it was also completely shattered (and has since been replaced). Apparently the assailants were attempting to remove the rock completely from its moorings but were unable to do so.
The rock – named after legendary coach Frank Howard – is an integral part of the Tiger football team’s pre-game ritual. Clemson players and coaches rub it for good luck before running down the hill into Death Valley, the team’s 82,000-seat stadium. In fact they’ve done so ever since 1966, when Howard’s team came back from an 18-point deficit to beat Virginia 40-35 in that year’s season opener.
“If you can’t give me a 110 percent than keep your filthy hands off my rock,” Howard is said to have told his players.
A gift from Howard’s longtime friend, Samuel C. Jones, the rock was initially used as a doorstop in the head coach’s office. It was later placed on a pedastal inside Memorial Stadium by Clemson booster Gene Willimon.
Clemson fans were irate at the assault on the rock – the centerpiece of their most prized football tradition.
“When the person or persons responsible are identified, I will gladly join/ lead a lynch mob to exact appropriate justice and I’m dead serious,” one fan wrote on a Clemson message board.
Yikes!
We’re lifelong fans of the Clemson’s arch-rival, the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, but this sort of crass vandalism and disrespect for the traditions that make college football so great is truly disturbing. We hope local law enforcement find the individual or individuals responsible for this crime and hold them accountable for their actions.
Clemson posted an 11-2 record last year under head coach Dabo Swinney, finishing the season with a thrilling Chick-fil-A Bowl victory over SEC powerhouse Louisiana State. Led by All-American quarterback Tajh Boyd, Clemson enters the 2013 season as one of the nation’s Top Ten football programs.
Of course they’ve struggled of late against the Gamecocks, dropping four in a row to Steve Spurrier’s resurgent USC program.
UPDATE: The rock’s unofficial Twitter account has spoken …
I have a headache!
— Howard’s Rock (@olehowardsrock) June 13, 2013
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Banner Pic: Travis Bell Photography
119 comments
The rock has the same disease Richard Eckstrom has and its parts just fell off.
LMAO!
+10 dude
The rock has the same disease Richard Eckstrom has and its parts just fell off.
LMAO!
+10 dude
That’s a pretty low thing to do. Damn.
That’s a pretty low thing to do. Damn.
So many of their grads end up breaking rocks in the state pen after their inevitable incarceration.
I’m guessing this is just part of their undergrad practicum…
I don’t think Clemson grad have anywhere near the experience close to those from Columbia.
I agree with you:
Columbia — penis
Clemson —- penos
There’s a reason they built the prison in Columbia, proximity to the source of inmates.
Leave it BigT to say something stupid.
I swear your dad should have pulled out of that German Shepard aka your mother and dropped that nut on an ant hill. You would have been better off as ant food.
Screw you, dickhole. I take pride in my school.
Haw! Haw! Good guess, GT…
Normally, what you say is pretty stupid. But this was funny, T. Good job.
— almost a sure bet it was a redneck USC “pick-up” alumni who never darkened the door of a college classroom. This compares with the fool who poisoned the Auburn trees at Toomer’s Corner. Every school has them. GT’s comment is despicable.
alumnus or alumna
Alumina?
Alumnus. I always wondered about the T-shirts that have (school name) alumni. There is only one person in there.
I thought GT’s comment was unusually funny and on point for once… Did we ever figure out what “fool” drew a paw on USC’s stadium grass?
It may have been the same degenerate that painted the Clemson Logo at Williams Brice! Think about it.
— almost a sure bet it was a redneck USC “pick-up” alumni who never darkened the door of a college classroom. This compares with the fool who poisoned the Auburn trees at Toomer’s Corner. Every school has them. GT’s comment is despicable.
alumnus or alumna
Alumina?
Alumnus. I always wondered about the T-shirts that have (school name) alumni. There is only one person in there.
I thought GT’s comment was unusually funny and on point for once… Did we ever figure out what “fool” drew a paw on USC’s stadium grass?
It may have been the same degenerate that painted the Clemson Logo at Williams Brice! Think about it.
It’s literally a doorstop…come on people. Chill.
It’s literally a doorstop…come on people. Chill.
No mention of the vandalism that occurred at Williams Brice a few weeks back?
Did someone piss on Giese’s grave? I missed the offense.
http://www.wltx.com/news/article/232763/2/Williams-Brice-Stadium-Vandalized-with-Clemson-Tigers-Colors
No mention of the vandalism that occurred at Williams Brice a few weeks back?
Did someone piss on Giese’s grave? I missed the offense.
http://www.wltx.com/news/article/232763/2/Williams-Brice-Stadium-Vandalized-with-Clemson-Tigers-Colors
Got off my rocks for the last time on Jan. 26, 1996. Y’all need to fix that stone edifice soon so my legend will continue to grow.
Got off my rocks for the last time on Jan. 26, 1996. Y’all need to fix that stone edifice soon so my legend will continue to grow.
Didn’t know what it looked like before so it looks just fine now…
Didn’t know what it looked like before so it looks just fine now…
“…a glass case PROTECTING it was also completely shattered…”
There are all sorts of comments begging to be made here…
“…a glass case PROTECTING it was also completely shattered…”
There are all sorts of comments begging to be made here…
I wonder if you put a black light on it how bright the glow would be
Probably about the same as a Sunday morning black light exam of your mother.
I wonder if you put a black light on it how bright the glow would be
Probably about the same as a Sunday morning black light exam of your mother.
Just as disrepectful as poisioning the Auburn Tree, whomever did this should be tarred and feathered, and that would be with GAMECOCK feathers. I sure hope it was not some over zealous CAROLINA fan that did this. Probably some Clemson students who had too much to drink and said the imortal phrase” Hey Hold My Beer and Watch This”
Your mention of tarring and feathering is interesting. Last week I mentioned, in a heated discussion, that certain politicians needed that treatment. When asked how was it done, I didn’t know the answer so I looked it up on Wiki which explained the various ways it was done. Yep, I’m all for bringing this back!
Just as disrepectful as poisioning the Auburn Tree, whomever did this should be tarred and feathered, and that would be with GAMECOCK feathers. I sure hope it was not some over zealous CAROLINA fan that did this. Probably some Clemson students who had too much to drink and said the imortal phrase” Hey Hold My Beer and Watch This”
Your mention of tarring and feathering is interesting. Last week I mentioned, in a heated discussion, that certain politicians needed that treatment. When asked how was it done, I didn’t know the answer so I looked it up on Wiki which explained the various ways it was done. Yep, I’m all for bringing this back!
Tacky no doubt. But it is …..a rock
Sort of like the Stone of Scone, right?
Tacky no doubt. But it is …..a rock
Sort of like the Stone of Scone, right?
Is Dabo’s new motto now “Two third’s in” instead of “All in”?
Is Dabo’s new motto now “Two third’s in” instead of “All in”?
The worse part about all of this is there is no way to get back at a school like SCAR who has no tradition. What could we do? Steal all the fire extinguishers? Scratch the CD with 2001 on it?
How about the tradition of pounding Dabo’s ass into a mud puddle for the past 4 years? Oh yeah, you’d have to win a game first.
So at USC a tradition is determined by a 4 year period?
Yes because Clemson folk can not remember past 3 weeks!
Coming from a fan who’s team motto for a century was “Wait ’til next year”.
Lets dwell on the depression while you are at it!
Learn to play Football!
The worse part about all of this is there is no way to get back at a school like SCAR who has no tradition. What could we do? Steal all the fire extinguishers? Scratch the CD with 2001 on it?
How about the tradition of pounding Dabo’s ass into a mud puddle for the past 4 years? Oh yeah, you’d have to win a game first.
So at USC a tradition is determined by a 4 year period?
Yes because Clemson folk can not remember past 3 weeks!
Coming from a fan who’s team motto for a century was “Wait ’til next year”.
Lets dwell on the depression while you are at it!
Learn to play Football!
As a Gamecock fan, I hope this wasn’t one of my own. It was a low class act to do something like this. I know someone (and there still is no proof it was actually a Clemson fan) spray painted the field and cockaboose, but this is not right. The field one was funny, the property was not, so if someone wanted “revenge” then in return paint the block C on the field. Its grass and can be washed out, but the rock is a tradition for them and should not be damaged. Sure I have said comments about “rubbing a rock” before a game on this site, but honestly that was a joke. I laughed at the hat on top of the rock because it didn’t actually hurt or break it, but this is not funny. Whoever did this doesn’t get it. To a Tiger this means just as much to them as 2001 does to me. I offer apologies to all Tigers out there, and if this does in fact turn out to be a Gamecock that did this, I promise he/she isn’t a true member of Gamecock Nation and that their actions are not those of all Gamecocks.
Great post and many would agree with you. There’s pranks and jokes, and then there’s just plain vandalism.
As a Gamecock fan, I hope this wasn’t one of my own. It was a low class act to do something like this. I know someone (and there still is no proof it was actually a Clemson fan) spray painted the field and cockaboose, but this is not right. The field one was funny, the property was not, so if someone wanted “revenge” then in return paint the block C on the field. Its grass and can be washed out, but the rock is a tradition for them and should not be damaged. Sure I have said comments about “rubbing a rock” before a game on this site, but honestly that was a joke. I laughed at the hat on top of the rock because it didn’t actually hurt or break it, but this is not funny. Whoever did this doesn’t get it. To a Tiger this means just as much to them as 2001 does to me. I offer apologies to all Tigers out there, and if this does in fact turn out to be a Gamecock that did this, I promise he/she isn’t a true member of Gamecock Nation and that their actions are not those of all Gamecocks.
Great post and many would agree with you. There’s pranks and jokes, and then there’s just plain vandalism.
“If you can’t give me a 110 percent than keep your filthy hands off my rock,”
What’s better then being a looser?
Learning proper spelling and grammar……
spelling it correctly
“If you can’t give me a 110 percent than keep your filthy hands off my cock,”
Then?
Said the USC graduate.
“If you can’t give me a 110 percent than keep your filthy hands off my rock,”
What’s better then being a looser?
Learning proper spelling and grammar……
spelling it correctly
“If you can’t give me a 110 percent than keep your filthy hands off my cock,”
Then?
Said the USC graduate.
Dabo told a recruit he’d get all the ROCK he could do, if he came to Clemson…So the Brotha took him up on it…
Go stick your nipples in a helicopter blade you racist bitch.
What?????….
Oh for Pete sakes! It’s not Kryptonite. Can’t they find another rock just as ugly somewhere in Pickens County?
Oh for Pete sakes! It’s not Kryptonite. Can’t they find another rock just as ugly somewhere in Pickens County?
I did it!
Cocky <"
I did it!
Cocky <"
I would say I can see the Virgin Mary in the rock, but we all know there are no virgin women at Clemson.
BOOM.
I would say I can see the Virgin Mary in the rock, but we all know there are no virgin women at Clemson.
BOOM.
You don’t challenge Clowney to a game of ROCK, paper, scissors.
Yep, that Heisman’s coming to Columbia (again) . The Pickenese can have their stupid rock up there.
I doubt it… it’ll go to an offensive player.
You don’t challenge Clowney to a game of ROCK, paper, scissors.
Yep, that Heisman’s coming to Columbia (again) . The Pickenese can have their stupid rock up there.
I doubt it… it’ll go to an offensive player.
You don’t challenge Clowney to a game of ROCK, paper, scissors.
You don’t challenge Clowney to a game of ROCK, paper, scissors.
Will we soon see fragments for sale? Or widespread bragging “confessions”?
Dabo did it himself to spark a fire under these guys
Will we soon see fragments for sale? Or widespread bragging “confessions”?
Dabo did it himself to spark a fire under these guys
I have rubbed the rock and run down the hill. To say the least, it is an exciting entrance to college football. It is our tradition much like 2001 is to the yardcocks. I despise yardcocks, mind you, but it is an entrance to college football and that is what tadition is about. You have yours, we have ours. When some dipshit takes it for more than what it is and destroys what is in effect history, they need their ass whipped. I hope they get it.
I have rubbed the rock and run down the hill. To say the least, it is an exciting entrance to college football. It is our tradition much like 2001 is to the yardcocks. I despise yardcocks, mind you, but it is an entrance to college football and that is what tadition is about. You have yours, we have ours. When some dipshit takes it for more than what it is and destroys what is in effect history, they need their ass whipped. I hope they get it.
College kids do stupid things – As a Clemson student 30 yrs ago, I remember some frat boys trying to steal the Bi-Lo Bull of the store rooftop. Them Clemson police shot one of them boys in the butt and then took them to jail.
College kids do stupid things – As a Clemson student 30 yrs ago, I remember some frat boys trying to steal the Bi-Lo Bull of the store rooftop. Them Clemson police shot one of them boys in the butt and then took them to jail.
Since Clemson found out one of their own damaged the rock the quite mouth has taken over. Shame on you because you thought a gamecock done it. Your biggest enemy is yourself. The tiggers live in fantasy land. You are no where as great as you think you are. West Va. just scored again. Please kept dumbo as coach and by the way fear the thumb.
Since Clemson found out one of their own damaged the rock the quite mouth has taken over. Shame on you because you thought a gamecock done it. Your biggest enemy is yourself. The tiggers live in fantasy land. You are no where as great as you think you are. West Va. just scored again. Please kept dumbo as coach and by the way fear the thumb.