I always hate when a fantastic college football treasure gets destroyed. Three years ago, Auburn’s Toomer’s corner trees were poisoned and earlier this year they were removed from the corner forever. Now, Clemson’s Howard’s rock has been vandalized and there is a sizable piece missing.
Here is what the rock used to look like:
Will Vandervort of The Clemson Insider reported:
“I was told Howard’s Rock had been vandalized so I went and checked for myself and it has indeed been vandalized. A big piece of the rock is missing on the side that faces the gates behind the Hill.
We have learned Clemson knows about it and is working with local police to try and find who is responsible for this. From what we have been told the police are looking at videos to try and find the vandals.
From what we understand, the case that protects the rock was shattered and it looks like the vandals tried to remove the rock from its pedestal before finally settling and taking a big part of the rock.
When we learn more, we will report it here.”
According to Clemson’s Athletic Director Dan Radakovich, the damaged occurred either June 2nd or 3rd, which means it went quite a while without being made public knowledge.
Legendary Clemson Tigers head coach Frank Howard was given the rock as a gift from Death Valley, California, and it has been rubbed by players before home games since 1966. The legend is that Howard told his players, “Give me 110 percent or keep your filthy hands off of my rock.”
The rock was a part of one of the greatest entrances in College Football, and in my opinion, I think it is the best.
It’s possible this is a retaliation for the Tiger paw that was painted on rival South Carolina Gamecocks field, but this would be an extreme retaliation. Damaging a rivals property is never an acceptable retaliation for a harmless prank.
