Fans wish Lattimore well
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Coach Steve Spurrier led the cheers of more than 1,000 people who turned out Monday to wish injured star Marcus Lattiimore a quick recovery and a happy 21st birthday.
“This is not a memorial service,” Spurrier said. “This is a happy birthday to Marcus and an appreciation for everything he’s done and is going to continue to do for South Carolina.”
And then Spurrier gave out a gift of hope to worried Gamecock fans.
“The message he gave me was, ‘I’ll be back,”’ Spurrier said. “So he’s coming back.”
That was the last thing on anyone’s mind after watching Lattimore’s devastating injury. His right knee was dislocated and sustained significant ligament damage requiring surgery and maybe needing more than a year of rehabilitation. Lattimore was released from the hospital Sunday night.
Playing again, though, wasn’t what Monday’s gathering was about. Fans filled the area in front of the McKissick Museum on the school’s historic Horseshoe, many wearing Lattimore’s No. 21. They signed large cards of support, brought birthday balloons and sang “Happy Birthday” to their beloved star.
“I told somebody, he might be the most popular Gamecock player ever,” Spurrier said.
The respect for Lattimore was evident on the field Saturday when Tennessee’s players came over to show support as he was carted off the field.
On Monday, Gov. Nikki Haley — an unabashed Clemson fan
— declared it “Marcus Lattimore Day” in the state.
Lattimore electrified the university from the minute he pulled out his South Carolina cap in February 2010 to end a heated recruiting battle for the state’s “Mr. Football” winner.
He made his mark quickly, rushing for 182 yards and two touchdowns in his first SEC game, a 17-6 victory over Georgia. The Gamecocks haven’t lost to the Bulldogs since.
Lattimore helped South Carolina to its first SEC East Division title in 2010. He tore ligaments in his left knee midway through last season and missed South Carolina’s final six games.
Lattimore has a school record of 41 career touchdowns. If everything goes well, Spurrier believes Lattimore might add to that total.
“Can’t wait until that 21 is playing out there at Williams-Brice real soon,” Spurrier said.