Deshaun Watson calls for Clemson to remove John C. Calhoun’s name from honors college

Houston Texans quarterback and Clemson alum Deshaun Watson called for his alma mater to remove the name of a South Carolina politician that owned slaves from the university’s honors college. 

Watson joined Arizona Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins and a host of students and faculty in urging Clemson to remove John C. Calhoun’s name from the university due to to the politician being in support of slavery.

Calhoun, who served as vice president of the United States under John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson from 1825 to 1832, enslaved 70 to 80 black people, according to Clemson. Clemson is built upon the land of Calhoun’s former plantation.

On Twitter, Watson shared a petition Monday demanding the school to rename the Calhoun Honors College.

“Clemson University should not honor slave owner John C. Calhoun in any way,” Watson tweeted. “His name should be removed from all University property and programming. I am joining the students, faculty & DeAndre to restart this petition to rename the Calhoun Honors College.”

Watson played at Clemson from 2014 to 2016, winning a national championship his final year. 

Hopkins, meanwhile, is also a Clemson alum. Though he played with Watson on the Texans, the two did not overlap at Clemson, as Hopkins was drafted in 2013. 

Hopkins shared the same petition on Instagram, writing a lengthy message on why he supports the cause. 

“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,” Hopkins wrote. “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.”