Greenville, SC: First round of voting concluded Monday, December 11th for the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame (SCFHOF) Class of 2018. In September, 55 modern-era and nine Legacy nominees were chosen that have ties to South Carolina either at one of the state’s 13 collegiate football programs or lived in the state at some point during their childhood. The vote is determined by sports media, the SCFHOF Board of Advisors and Directors, and supporting members of the SCFHOF via an online ballot at www.scfootballhof.org. Due to the results of the vote, the SCFHOF has revealed 17 modern-era and three Legacy finalists eligible to be part of a five-person (1 Legacy) Class of 2018 to be enshrined at their 6th Annual Enshrinement Celebration presented by IAG on April 19, 2018 at the Embassy Suites at Verdae in Greenville.
The 17 modern day finalists boast six with University of South Carolina ties, five with ties to Clemson, and two with ties to Furman and The Citadel. South Carolina State and Presbyterian College also have a representative. Three of the finalists were born in South Carolina and went out of state to play at Florida State, Georgia, and Marshall respectively. The three Legacy finalists represent Clemson, the city of Charleston, and Erskine College. The final round of voting is open now through January 19, 2018.
Class of 2018 Finalists (Alphabetical Order):
• John Abraham- Timmonsville/U of SC: 5 x Pro Bowler, 2 x First Team All-Pro & 100 sacks Club (Jets, Falcons, and Cardinals)
• Art Baker- Sumter/Presbyterian College: Head Coach at Furman, The Citadel, and asst. at Clemson
• Jeff Bostic- Clemson University: 3 x Super Bowl Champion (Washington Redskins)
• Peter Boulware- Columbia/Florida State: 4 x Pro-Bowl & SBXXXV Champion (Baltimore Ravens)
• Troy Brown- Barnwell/Marshall: 3x Super Bowl Champion with New England Patriots
• Bobby Bryant- Macon, GA/U of SC: 2nd all-time in interceptions (51) in Minnesota Vikings history
• Dwight Clark- Clemson: 2 x Super Bowl Champion (San Francisco 49ers)
• Woody Dantzler- Orangeburg/Clemson: 1st QB in NCAA history to throw for 2000 and run for 1000 in same season
• Todd Ellis- U of SC: Set 26 Gamecock records as a QB during his playing career. Current “Voice of the Gamecocks”
• Steve Fuller- Enid, OK/Spartanburg/Clemson: His number 4 was retired at Clemson & 1st round draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 1979.
• Bobby Johnson- Columbia/Clemson: Head Coach of Furman (2 So-Con Championships) and Vanderbilt
• Paul McGuire- Youngstown, OH/The Citadel: 3 x AFL Champion & 40-year TV football commentator career at NBC and ESPN.
• Robert Porcher- Wando/SC State: 1st Round Draft Pick & 3 x All-Pro (Detroit Lions)
• Willie Scott- Newberry/U of SC: 1st Round Draft Pick of the Kansas City Chiefs (1981)
• Richard Seymour- Gadsden/UGA: 7 x Pro Bowler, 3 x Super Bowl Champion (New England Patriots)
• Steve Spurrier- Miami Beach, FL: Head Coach of South Carolina (3 straight 11-win seasons)
• Travelle Wharton- Greenville/U of SC: 0 sacks allowed in 45-game span in college & 3rd Round Draft Pick (Carolina Panthers)
Legacy Finalists (Alphabetical Order):
• Clay Matthews Sr- (1928-2017) Charleston/Georgia Tech: Spent 4 seasons after being undrafted with San Francisco 49ers. Father of NFL legends Clay Matthews Jr & Bruce Matthews, grandfather of NFL players Clay Matthews III, Kevin Matthews, Jake Matthews, and Casey Matthews
• Chester McGlockton- (1969-2011) Whiteville, NC/Clemson: 1st Round Draft Pick and 4 x Pro Bowler (LA/Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, & New York Jets)
• Dode Phillips- Bradley/Erskine College: Named best athlete of the first half of the 20th century in SC in 1950. Part of the Erskine and SC Athletic Hall of Fame.
Mission of the SCFHOF:
The mission of the SCFHOF is to honor South Carolina football legends, support player career transitions, improve player safety and promote the game of football and South Carolina.
Learn more about the SCFHOF at www.scfootballhof.org and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @scfootballhof.♦
