The rivalries run red hot south of the Mason-Dixon line, especially within in-state rivalries. So when Clemson Tigers linebacker Ben Boulware was asked to autograph a South Carolina Gamecocks helmet during an appearance at the Fan Zone store in North Charleston, S.C., on Saturday, he left a happy message for the state -- but also a little rivalry revenge on the Gamecocks. Boulware signed his name and wrote "This is our state/country! 2016-17 national champions!" on one side of the helmet. On the other, he wrote "56-7," the score of last November's Clemson-South Carolina game, outlined, of course, in a tiger paw. But this message didn't just come out of thin air. Last year, former Gamecocks quarterback Connor Shaw wrote a similar message on a Clemson helmet at the North Charleston store Fan Zone. Shaw, who played at South Carolina 2010-13, wrote "This is our state! 5." The number five being a reference to the Gamecocks' five-game winning streak over Clemson, 2009-13. According to Charleston's Post and Courier, Fan Zone personnel urged Boulware to do such a signing. And it didn't take long for him to leave his message. Even Shaw got a kick out of the signing. Boulware has left his mark on the championship-caliber team and is projected to be a seventh-round pick or an undrafted free agent in the upcoming NFL draft. -- Courtney Schellin
|