DeAndre Hopkins explains why he doesn't mention Clemson during NFL intros

Jordan Heck

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DeAndre Hopkins explains why he doesn't mention Clemson during NFL intros image

DeAndre Hopkins says he's so bothered by Clemson's use of John C. Calhoun's name at the university that he doesn't feel comfortable representing the school during his NFL introductions.

Hopkins made this statement on his Instagram page while saying he's joining a petition to remove Calhoun's name from the school's honors college. Calhoun served as vice president under John Quincy Adams from 1825 to 1829, but he's a controversial figure because of his stance on slavery which he says is not “evil,” but rather a “positive good."

Calhoun's bio on Clemson's official website claims he "not only owned an antebellum southern agricultural plantation of over 1,000 acres of land, but also some 70-80 enslaved African-Americans." 

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Hopkins, who attended Clemson from 2010 through 2012, says he was bothered by Calhoun's presence during his time at the university.

"I felt this oppressive figure during my time at Clemson and purposely do not mention the University’s name before NFL games because of it," Hopkins wrote. "I am joining the voices of the students and faculty who have restarted this petition to rename the Calhoun Honors College."

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

As we watch everything happening in the world, I want to bring up something that has been bothering me for a long time in my community. Clemson University still honors the name of well known slave owner and pro-slavery politician John C. Calhoun on its buildings, signs, and in the name of its honors program. I felt this oppressive figure during my time at Clemson and purposely do not mention the University’s name before NFL games because of it. I am joining the voices of the students and faculty who have restarted this petition to rename the Calhoun Honors College. I urge all Clemson students, football players, and alumni to join us, so the next generation of young Black leaders can be proud of the institution they graduate from. Now is the time for change. Please help us by signing and sharing this petition here: tinyurl.com/calhounpetition

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The petition has more than 9,000 signatures as of this writing, with Hopkins and Deshaun Watson each giving it more attention. Clemson president Jim Clements and Clemson board chairman Smythe McKissick each declined to provide a comment on the petition to the Greenville News.

Watson, who played at Clemson from 2014 through 2016, also called on people to sign the petition.

For more information on why students want to remove Calhoun's name, visit their website at Reclaim And Rename.

Jordan Heck

Jordan Heck Photo

Jordan Heck is a Social Media Producer at Sporting News. Before working here, he was a Digital Content Producer at The Indianapolis Star. He graduated with a degree from Indiana University.