He’s back! Connor Shaw returns for South Carolina pregame tradition
A week after being released from the hospital following a health scare, former Gamecocks quarterback Connor Shaw made his first public appearance as USC’s celebrity starter for Saturday’s game versus Kentucky.
Shaw appeared at Williams-Brice Stadium with son Decker and led the crowd in the pregame “GAME! COCKS!” cheer.
“Praise Jesus!” Shaw told the crowd. “Gamecocks fight until the very end.”
Shaw, 34, was hospitalized Sept. 17 after collapsing on the sideline of his son’s football game in Simpsonville. He spent three nights in the hospital.
An eyewitness said Shaw was given CPR on the field before paramedics transported him to Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital. He was reportedly in stable condition in the ICU prior to his release.
A source with knowledge of the situation told The State that Shaw was in good spirits after being sent home and said he feels lucky to be alive. Shaw had posted encouraging updates on Instagram after his release, but hadn’t released an official statement or made a public appearance until pregame Saturday.
This story was originally published September 27, 2025 at 7:59 PM with the headline "He’s back! Connor Shaw returns for South Carolina pregame tradition."
