Former South Carolina QB Connor Shaw is the winningest QB in the program’s history. The Gamecocks fanatics recognize why. He went 27-5 as a starter for the program from 2010 to 2013, including a 17-0 record at Williams-Brice Stadium. To cap it off, he is a 2021 Hall of Fame inductee. This kind of resume deserves SEC honors, and South Carolina has made its move.

On Wednesday, Gamecock Football shared that big Connor Shaw announcement, writing, “Connor Shaw is officially a member of the 2025 SEC Football Legends Class!” He’ll be honored in Atlanta during the SEC Championship weekend on December 5 at the CFB Hall of Fame and Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 6. But along with Shaw, 16 more former football standouts who shaped SEC history will receive this recognition. Moreover, this year’s lineup reads like a dream roster.

That list includes a Heisman Trophy winner, All-Americans, national champions, All-SEC stars, NFL standouts, and Academic All-Americans. Yes, former Auburn QB and Heisman winner Cam Newton, Alabama’s LB C. J. Mosley, LSU’s CB Tyrann Mathieu, and more are on that list. With each player having left a mark, this is a celebration of legends. Now, while teams celebrated their achievements, Connor Shaw represented the glory of his South Carolina days.

While some moments define a career, for Shaw, it came in 2012 at South Carolina, when he completed 20 straight passes to beat Missouri. But the absolute legend was born in 2013. In that game, USC was down 17-0 at halftime to Missouri, and Shaw got injured. But quitting wasn’t in his DNA. That’s why the QB stormed back onto the field in the second half. Passing for 20-for-29 for 201 yards, South Carolina staged the impossible comeback. Fans called it “The Miracle in Missouri.” While that proved Shaw was one of the fiercest players, he left an even bigger mark on the program.

Because of his precision and leadership qualities, he ranks in the top 10 in eight major USC categories. He was first in total TDs and second in passing TDs. He finished his career in style, earning MVP honors in the Capital One Bowl. But after a brief NFL stint with the Browns and Chicago Bears, the former USC quarterback returned home again. He took on key staff roles at South Carolina, shaping the next generation of Gamecocks.

He remains deeply involved with the program as a trusted consultant. While Shaw’s efforts at South Carolina are finally paying off with SEC honors, the former quarterback recently experienced a tragic accident and spoke about it publicly.

Connor Shaw’s emotional confession

A week after being discharged from the hospital, Connor Shaw returned to Williams-Brice Stadium on September 27. But beneath his usual Gamecock grin was a near-tragic story, and he opened up about that shocking moment on October 15.

He had suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while watching his son play flag football. But two off-duty heroes saved him. Police officer Zach Moore and firefighter Caleb Carter jumped into action, performing CPR for 5 minutes until an AED arrived. “They gave me another chance at life,” stated Shaw. Just like that, the former USC QB survived. But he walked away with a new perspective.

“After thanking my doctors, nurses, and church family, I’ve come away with something pretty powerful: hope,” added Shaw. “The world may feel dark, but we serve a God that still performs miracles.” Simply put, once a nightmare for opposing defenses, the Gamecocks’ legend now confronts a far greater challenge off the field.

Well, that’s the reason behind his launch of The Heart Huddle. It is an initiative to promote CPR training and place AEDs across South Carolina. “We’re going to kick this off with a tailgate at the South Carolina versus Clemson game in November. You’re all invited to be a part of it,” remarked Shaw. With Shaw’s move, we see a side of him beyond his football glory.