The Clemson runout
by AutumnSpectacle.com staff

Although mounted, cherished and continually patted for good luck, Howard’s Rock really got started when it was marked for the rubbish heap – by its own namesake, of all people.

Every home football Saturday, Clemson players touch or rub the rock before running full speed down the hill onto the playing surface at Clemson Memorial Stadium. The event has been described as the “most exciting 25 seconds in sports” by ABC broadcaster Brent Musberger.

Still, its roots stretch back to the mid-1960s when then-Clemson coach Frank Howard demanded the piece of gray flint be taken out of his office and tossed away because it was cluttering things up. The rock had been given to Howard by Clemson alum S.C. Jones, who picked it up on a visit to Death Valley in California.

courtesy Clemson SID The beginning of the "most exciting 25 seconds in sports" starts with the Tigers rubbing Howard's Rock.

Howard’s aide, Gene Willimon, however, disregarded his boss’ orders and, instead, had the rock mounted on a pedestal at the top of the east end zone’s incline. This also happened to be where the players entered the stadium during gameday. Good luck started immediately: the day the rock was unveiled, in Sept. 1966, the Tigers came back from an 18-point deficit to defeat Virginia.

Perhaps sensing an omen, it wasn’t long after that Howard addressed his players before a game against Wake Forest, imploring them that if they were ready to give 110 percent, they could rub that rock. If they weren’t, then he ordered “keep your filthy hands off of it.” Soon afterward, the media caught wind of the motivational ploy and the legend of Howard’s Rock was born.

Ever since, Clemson football players have rubbed their hands on the rock before commencing their run down to the football field. And, it must be working: the Tigers have won three out of every four games at home since the Rock was introduced in 1966.

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