Imagine watching a football legend from your college team collapsing on the field. That’s what happened to Connor Shaw last week. South Carolina’s former QB fainted while coaching his son’s flag football team. The man who took the Gamecocks to new heights, posting a record of 27-5, was suddenly in the news again, but to his fans’ dismay. As he navigates through recovery, Shaw’s making sure he praises his wife’s efforts.

Shaw collapsed just 15 minutes into the game. The staff then rushed him to Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital, after which Shaw’s condition got better. All his family and friends have stood tall beside him, supporting him through this tough time. But one person who ensured he was never alone was his wife, Molly Smith.

Connor went on his IG and posted a heartfelt story, with a picture from his hospital bed where Molly’s lying by his side. His caption read: “Many things I am thankful for this evening, none more than this.” That’s what life partners are for. Being each other’s safety net through tough times. Beside his wife, even a South Carolina governor was sending prayers for Connor Shaw

Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette hits X on Sept. 20, sharing her best wishes to Shane Beamer and his team before going up against Missouri. “Best of luck to @CoachSBeamer and @GamecockFB against Mizzou tonight. Let’s show them who the real Columbia is,” she said. But with that, she made sure she gave out her heartfelt prayers to Shaw too. “I’m also joining Gamecock fans in praying for two Gamecock greats, Coach Travian Robertson and Connor Shaw, in their recoveries,” she added. That’s how Columbia supports their people.

Sources confirm that Conner Shaw has been discharged from the hospital, but the real reason behind his collapse is still not known. But the fear of losing a person like Shaw was clearly visible in the people of Columbia. This man cemented his name in South Carolina history from 2010 to 2013 under Steve Spurrier. Shaw is the program’s winningest starting quarterback with 27 victories. During that time he recorded 6,074 passing yards and 56 touchdowns.

Shane Beamer gets a major setback against Missouri

Shane Beamer’s team just got another blow of the season against Missouri. But despite a 29-20 loss against them, Beamer didn’t let his team take the entire blame. “When I’m on these calls with you guys, and I’m in postgame press conferences, I’m going to have our guys’ backs,” Beamer said. “I’m the head coach. I’m paid to stand up there and be responsible. I’m going to defend our players, but there’s also what happens in this building behind closed doors. Accountability is a core value of this program, and we hold one another accountable.”

But accountability alone won’t help. As penalties and the run game made things worse for South Carolina. They recorded 14 penalties for 98 yards, finishing with minus-9 rushing yards. Crazy, right? But the worst is yet to come as Missouri blew up with their ground game going for 285 rushing yards, with 138 from RB Ahmad Hardy alone. Beamer’s team also missed 16 tackles as a group.

Even he knows how bad they messed up. Talking about it, Beamer said, “There was a lot on that tape last night that was not good and was not football that we’re proud of in all three phases. It’s on me to correct that… There’s no one coming in here Sunday and patting everybody on the back.” Despite offensive struggles, QB LaNorris Sellers threw for 302 yards and two touchdowns. He was the only good thing for Beamer in that loss. As the Gamecocks now rank last in the SEC with 300 total offensive yards per game and just 321 rushing yards through four games.

Now if we talk about defense, they are still in a better position, holding 11th spot in the SEC, allowing 346.3 total yards per game, but before going up against Kentucky, they need to address their issues with penalties and the rushing game. Otherwise, they might end up missing their shot at the playoffs this year.