Connor Shaw, the former South Carolina quarterback who defined an era of Gamecock football, is recovering after a frightening health scare. On September 17, Shaw collapsed while coaching his nine-year-old son’s youth flag football game in Simpsonville, South Carolina. The incident happened about 15 minutes after kickoff, and first responders on the scene rushed him to Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital, where he was placed in the ICU.

City officials later confirmed Shaw, 33, was in stable condition. The news brought relief to fans who had anxiously awaited word after such a chaotic scene, which included bystanders calling 911, firefighters administering CPR, and emergency crews navigating difficult access to the field. Shaw’s health scare has struck a chord well beyond the field at Gracely Park. He remains one of the most beloved figures in Gamecocks’ history. From 2011 to 2013, Shaw posted a 27-5 record as South Carolina’s starter, becoming the winningest quarterback the program has ever had.

People continue to remember his contributions on and off the field as he navigates this tough period. South Carolina’s tight end coach, Shawn Elliott, publicly asked fans and followers to keep Shaw and his family in their prayers. “We all know what he means to so many,” Elliott writes on X. “Lift Connor Shaw and his family up this evening.” Shaw has been the heartbeat of some of the Gamecocks’ most successful seasons ever. And coach Elliot has always been nothing but really fond of the man’s grit. “No matter how beaten up, battered, or bruised he is,” Elliot said. “He’s going to lay it on the line for you, and there’s just a huge amount of confidence that’s instilled in everybody when you have a guy like that leading your team.” Plus, he’s not the type to sit out because of injury.

In the 2015 season, he played through a popped shoulder, got it popped back into place at halftime, and went right back onto the field. His dad, Lee, even shared that Shaw’s loyalty to his team is unmatched, and the Gamecock community has long echoed that sentiment. Shaw’s leadership showed in how he stood up for teammates like Jadeveon Clowney in tough moments, when he didn’t play against Kentucky. It cemented his role as a true locker room centerpiece. When someone like Connor Shaw faces a health scare, it shakes the whole Gamecock family.

Coach Shane Beamer’s hopeful update

South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer dropped a crucial two-word update that gave fans a sigh of relief. Shaw was “alert” and “communicating” as of the morning following the collapse. Beamer shared this through his weekly Carolina Calls radio show. He got the inside scoop from South Carolina’s head athletic trainer, Clint Haggard. This update is huge considering the initial severity of the incident and shows Shaw’s resilience off the field mirrors the toughness he demonstrated on it.

And why not? Shaw’s legacy at South Carolina is already etched in stone. He even earned a well-deserved spot in South Carolina’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2021. Injuries sidelined him in 2015 and 2016, creating obstacles throughout his NFL career. Nevertheless, Shaw pivoted toward coaching and player development after his playing days ended.

He briefly took a tight end coaching job at Furman University in 2018. Then, he moved to South Carolina’s staff in 2020 under former coach Will Muschamp. When Shane Beamer took over in 2021, Shaw stayed on as part of the team before resigning from coaching in early 2022.