I grew up in SC too def a crazy era. I grew up in Lowcountry we had AJ green, Carlos Dunlap, Bruce and Andre Ellington. Aj green lost to Marcus lattimore in state championship but Byrnes was a powerhouse
Yea these dudes could’ve at least had the money to buy a place of permanent residence. Property a few cars. SOMETHING for all their sacrifice! Most of the five star recruits started when they where in little league then middle school then high school that’s eight years.
@@northwestjuggernaut the younger guys should start a collective for the OGs like this and Ed Obannon. They the reason why they are getting paid for NCAA25 and so much more.
@@northwestjuggernautI know some guys that played from 1st grade thru the end of high school with no breaks. One of them quit when he got to high school and his dad was our head coach.
I used to live down the street from Marcuses Mom. When we moved in he already graduated from Byrnes High school and went to USC. Me and my sister would ride our 4 wheelers up and down the street and every time Marcus was at his mom’s house he made it his goal to come and talk with me because he knew I played football. When he got hurt I remember getting on the 4 wheeler on Christmas Day and he was at his mom’s for Christmas and he heard the 4 wheeler start up and was waiting for me with his crutches. He was a genuinely nice guy and that’s what I want people to remember about him.( I did play his prep school team he was coaching when I was at SCS and we whooped them. Just thought I put that in there.)
Hey young man, I just knew you were about to tell us that you gave him a ride...but THAT was probably a little...LOT difficult. Smiled at you mentioning the beating yall handed his team. Thanks for sharing! Clemson Tiger 🐅 Fan
Im a lifelong 49ers fan. Even with his horrific injury most of us niner fans had hope he would become the next marshall faulk. Sad things didn't work out that way but he had insurance and stipulations in his contract that got him paid a couple million for signing and not playing. He deserved to earn something for his college career.
Lattimore is one of the most tragic tales in College Football. He was the consensus #1 Heisman candidate in 2010 before he got hurt and again in 2012 after he rehab’d and was making a strong comeback. He was clearly the best running back in the nation and on track to win the Heisman again before injury struck again. His injury resulted in SC failing to win the East again. Had he remained healthy throughout his Collegiate career, it’s difficult to imagine how big of an impact that would have had on South Carolina and its program trajectory
Went to school with this dude and played with him. Great humble person, nothing but good things to say about the guy. He really was a work horse not only for USC but in HS he was too to say the least. Very sad to see what happened after the injury.
Some guys only know fb. And think because what happened it’s over for him. Well it’s reality and his comeback is stronger than his actual career believe it or not
@@timothymoore2966 what? Im saying its sad to see what happened because he couldn’t play the game anymore nothing about fb i don’t even have facebook. He couldn’t play the game anymore becusee every time he cut he was in so much pain so he had to retire early from the NFL.
I think his story is inspiring. It shows resiliency, grit, and overcoming hardship. He has some money in the bank and is pursuing his dreams. His story is the one we were supposed to be told, and it is no less meaningful than the football portion. I think his current life seems far more interesting.
I'm a clemson alum and diehard tiger, and when I saw his injury, I hit the table I was was sitting at pretty hard, knowing what it would cost this young man. Never thought I'd reel so hard at a rival team's player getting hurt, but it hit me pretty hard.
Classy guy & awesome RB. Serious injury with nerve damage. Messed up UGA Robert Edward’s & Keith Marshall. Chubbs injury looked horrific, but miraculously no nerve damage
I think you actually mean Keith Marshall. He was the leading running back at UGA. Gurley was #2 until Tennessee destroyed Marshalls knee the same way they did Lattimores. When Gurley tore his ACL, he made a cut , didn't get hit at all.
Great video! Life is unpredictable, and the best part is that he maximized his gift as an athlete until it was time for the next season of his life. It doesn’t start or end the same for everyone. This is his story. He inspired many, coached the youth, and is following his new dream as a writer. Most importantly he’s a man of faith in Christ. Life and purpose extends beyond the context of football, and it seems he understands and lives by that. Salute to him💯💪🏽
Thank you so much for doing this video. I am a Gamecock alum, and ML was one of the best. The Tennessee games still invokes tears, I remember watching the game with my daughters and we were just crying. I pray the best for him and hope that he has healed in every way. Thank you again.
Ditto from a clemson alum. I was at a now-closed place in the vista at the time (maybe carolina wings or something like that) and seeing that play what was it..12 years ago? And I just felt absolutely devastated at his injury. He's one of those guys I've rooted for to get back to health and have an immense amount of respect for.
Being from Columbia Sc and hating the Gamecocks as a Florida fan I couldn’t even hate on Lattimore he was a baller from SC and was unstoppable I still remember when he got injured man he looked like he was gonna be the next great RB
Yup. Gator fan and I fucking loved this dude. And what the Vols did to him made me hate that team even more. That hit changed his career for some nobody as POS Vols player kneecapping him bc he would destroy them.
Growing up in Lexington County as a Vols fan I can relate to being right up the road from Willy B and pulling for an SEC rival. I was at the game when Lattimore got hurt and I definitely don’t feel like it was intentional and can say for sure that UT fans and players showed nothing but respect for the man when he got hurt. It’s fine to hate on the Vols but let’s not make it out to be some “scared to lose to the Gamecocks” conspiracy lol. GBO VFL
@@TriptolemusPrimeTennessee has a reputation for doing this. They destroyed Keith Marshall of UGA's knee the same way. At the time he was a better running back than Todd Gurley. Never recovered totally from the injury.
I can remember him in his prime, I'm from Ohio and a huge Buckeye fan, but he alone made me root for South Carolina, I was watching the game against Tennessee, and remember like it was yesterday, all that aside, so glad you put this together to know that he is doing great and to help show these kids that there's life past football!!! Great video as always!!🍻
I think he is a winner in life. I remember watching that game he was injured in. To see him today on this video, make me proud of him. Sometimes you have to go through rough times to help others and he is doing that. ☮️
NIL will always be favored by real football players & football fans. No matter that anyone says and how much the system tries to make these players seem like bad ppl because they grab the bag for their families, WE WILL ALWAYS BE FOR THE NIL NO MATTER HOW MUCH NICK SABAN TALKS BAD ABOUT IT.
It isn't name image and likeness anymore....it's nothing more than highest bidder year to year and a way to bribe teenagers....not against NIL but there has to be a better way of doing it.....the lessons being taught are bad for society.. Cue the stupid comeback along the lines of learning about getting PAID or it's about the Cheddaa or something stupid like that.....whatev
You may say this is a sad story, in my opinion for him to find Christ is everything a person needs. Imagine he continues his career and never finds the need for God. Only to die a man the never truly found life. I bet you Lattimore would agree.
He is my favorite non-UGA RB ever. His and Nick Chubbs injuries were just absolutely brutal, and even worse knowing that it is happening to such quality men. Thanks for the update
@@alonzokincaid1362 No they weren't. Look at the picture in Matt's video. Many TN players standing around Marcus when he was down on the field. No opposing player wants to see anyone from the other team seriously injured like this.
He's good Matt basically just Kyrie Irving without 100 Million Dollars. Do a video on the Michael Dyer the other top running back from the 2010 HS Class and 2011 National Championship Game MVP much more interesting story that no one on RU-vid has touched.
Just had to post this somewhere. I drive Uber on the weekends in Birmingham and I was at the airport and got a ride request going to Tuscaloosa last night. The guys name was Fitz. He had Bama stuff on and was a pretty big guy. I asked if he was an athlete. He said he played safety for Bama under Saban, played with Tua and Jaylen Hurts, but that he had been with the Steelers for 7 years. Yep!!! I spent a freaking hour with Minkah Fitzpatrick last night!!!
To hear Marcus Lattimore was here in Portland, coaching at Lewis & Clark surprised me. But him being here writing literature & poetry is kinda perfect. Couldn't have picked a better spot for that. Brother's gonna fit right in.
I went to the U of SC and I was at the game against UT when his knee went out. It was dead silent in the stadium. I will say this...he has done amazingly well since then. He is always positive and I have never once heard him feel sorry for himself.
Played college with him. Amazing player. Even better person. His stats don’t reflect how Great he was. Would have probably been the best RB in the NFL for a few years if he left college as a freshman and just sat for two years.
I fuckin loved this man back in the day. He was on his way to being a college legend and Jesus watching both injuries was traumatizing as a high schooler.
Thank you for pointing out that he was also a GREAT person! A lot of times you see guys blessed with so much talent but they are corrupt morally…this was not the case with Marcus. I felt so bad for this guy when he got hurt that second time. His accomplishments without injury would have been record breaking.
I remember the recruitment of Lattimore super well because Auburn went after him heavily. Dude was a beast. That little “rivalry” between him and Mike Dyer was some fun football. Great video.
I really appreciate your mini documentaries. Please keep doing them. Also.. advice: interact with your comments more often. Subscribers appreciate recognition from the content creator.
I'm impressed with this man, some people probably think he's just taking the path of least resistance but I see a lot of personal growth in this story. Some people are more worried about their title than their journey, worried about what others will think about them. Going from having everything to having 'nothing' is one of the most challenging things any human could endure, some would say it's worse than starting with nothing and ending with nothing because you start to notice what you're missing out on eventually. Everyone could be a day away from their lowest low, who are you going to be the day after? Are you ever going to accept it, and learn to love yourself all over again? Food for thought. Best wishes to Lattimore and his family, and great video to OP. Someone who kinda reminded me of Lattimore was Sidney Jones IV drafted to the Eagles in 2017 out of Washington. Probably know his story already but he's another standup dude who just had terrible luck for no reason. Too early to make a video on him as he's technically still a legitimate journeyman DB who should get another chance or two before he hangs it up. But man, couldn't happen to a better kid.
Great story. I played against him. I played at independence high school in Charlotte. You may want to look into doing a story about that. We won 109 games in a row. Number one in the nation for 7 years straight.
I’ve been a South Carolina fan my whole life. At 11-12 years old seeing him run a football was one of the greatest things I’ve ever witnessed in my life
It's not weird, it's sad. You don't know if someone ELSE is filming that . He's addressing the fact that he doesn't trust his repaired knees and is scared to jump up and down. He implores , with his faith, for God to take the fear away. He's practically crying without the tears. I feel for him. It's heartfelt. I heard that. I know God heard that. I understand it and his neighbor should too.
I saw this headline I never have forgotten Marcus lattimore. He's one of the greatest college running backs I have ever seen. He is definitely up there with people like Marshall faulk Barry Sanders such an amazing running back. I'm so happy to hear play he found happiness in other things. Sometimes after everything is burned to the ground beautiful things grow in its place.
I happened to be watching that game, clearly remember the play/injury. I immediately looked away and never watched it again. So so glad to hear he’s doing well!! Warms my heart
Even as Vol fan I was a fan of Marcus because I admire greatness. It literally made me feel sick to my stomach for him when he got injured, and I hated that it happened against my team.
Keep up the good content! You’ll never run out of “What ever happen to?” players to profile. Its a ton every year but there is 3 from the early 2000’s that stand out from my days of following the recruiting blogs, sites & magazines religiously. Ironic part is all 3 committed to FSU ….always curious on why XAVIER LEE, ADRIAN MCPHERSON & FRED ROUSE never reached their potential even on the college level. 🤔
@@danielocasio7073as someone who grew up in the county next to his, we all collectively mourned when he got injured. He was a “hometown hero” (our little towns around Heflin are all small so we all feel like neighbors). He could have had a great NFL career.
Marcus is a good person. I was rehabbing a knee at Andrews Institute while he was attempting a come back from his injury. He always made time to talk with us locals.
As a Clemson fan, I will always respect and be a fan of Marcus. National writers may have called Clowney the leader of the team but anyone who lived in the state knew the heart and soul of that program was all Marcus. The kid played with what all coaches scream about - heart. As great of player as he was, he was an even better person off the field helping in the community. While Clowney never left second gear his entire junior season because he knew he was going #1 overall. Jinxed him though because he's never lived up to the hype lol. Marcus was never about speed. He was about WANT. There aren't too many guys like that. I tip my hat to you Lattimore.
Matt you should do one on Michael Dyer if you haven't already. Dude looked like Ricky Williams when he was in highschool, started at RB freshman year at Auburn and won the national championship, kicked out of Auburn, goes to Arkansas State and gets arrested and kicked out, goes to JuCO then Louisville. Played as FA for the raiders and then played in an indoor league
Hey Matt check out Demetris Summers from South Carolina. He was the number 2 running back in the nation in 03 and went to the Gamecocks to play. Trust me because I played against him. He was a monster.
I watched that injury live. Gutted. He shouldn’t have been in the game at that point. What a freaking tragedy. He was a football legend in the making. Great man. Still is.
Number 1 St Thomas Aquinas of Fort Lauderdale played Number 2 Byrne's high school from South Carolina in 2009. The game was moved to a local stadium after Byrne's requested 5,000 tickets for the game. One play from that game stands out in my mind. Early in the first quarter Byrne's was inside their 20 yard line with a 4th and 16 to go for first down. They faked a punt and elected to go for the first down. Marcus Lattimore took it out to near the 40 yard line. Highlights of the game are on RU-vid. PS Learn how to properly pronounce team names.
I was at that game 😯and knew a couple of Aquinas players and Coaches🏈. That year they were upset by Bradenton Manatee in the playoffs and Ace Sanders with Cord Sandberg were some of the biggest names for the hurricanes.😞Even in the early-mid 2000s I was a homer for Aquinas with it's NFL pipeline and Great tradition. Still remember chopping it up a couple of times with 🏈 RB Dominic Anderson near the downtown bank🏦in the area and 😢 miss being around the kids when I coached a little Pee-wee memories.
As a Ky fan I couldn’t stand that South Carolina era cause they were straight dusting us but I always liked Lattimore. He played hard and had class which is rare these days. His injury was one of the more gruesome looming injuries ever. Seeing his leg like that was scary.
Crazy thing is.. Joe Staley was an All-State sprinter in high school clocking a 21.9 200m. I understand that being a running, you're expected to beat an OL man but Staley was the fastest OL man of All-time.
Awesome video! Will forever be a SC legend. I remember going to his last home HS game and he won the game for them. Then talking with him on a recruiting visit to SC, we all knew his heart was all in for the Gamecocks. Honestly, and this may be a hot take, but if he had a healthy 3 maybe even 4 years at SC, they likely win an SEC championship and have a shot at a national title. I mean their best stretch of football in program history with 3 straight 11-2 seasons without one of the best RB college football has ever seen for 2/3rds of that stretch is wild. And even without him, SC had the opportunity to do so and couldn’t quite get the job done. Honestly the 2011-2013 Gamecocks could be one of the most underrated teams in CFB history. That team in today’s CFB landscape would beat a majority of the top teams today. I firmly believe that. Definitely year in and year out playoff team by today’s standards.
South Carolina was 1 step away from a championship .. it’s crazy how in 2012 or 2013 they were ranked #3 & then lose a night game at #9 lsu by 2 points & if it wasn’t for that game & the Florida game (Connor Shaw the QB got injured) they could’ve won the sec that year but Georgia (who they beat by 28) went on to the sec championship & lost .. sc was easily the best sec east team in 2010-13 but never won the sec in any of them years
This is a lesson to everyone. Your life can change so quickly, appreciate what you have now. To all those high school and college athletes, have a back up plan. A minuscule number of players make it to the big time and last even a few years.
Aye do Greg Pulus he played point guard for Duke but he was like the number one highschool quarterback recruit and played one year at quarterback for Syracuse but had a connection to Nathan Hackett and was supposed to go to Green Bay
IMO dude is def #1 RB What If of All Time. As a Clemson grad and AA HS football player from SC, this dude was straight up different. If you forgot, this dude dominated the SEC like a version of Adrian Peterson. Deceptive speed. And wouldn’t stiff arm a defender bc he preferred to mush your face mask into your teeth. Not only was a great guy on the field but even a better guy off of the field. A humble beast. Live it up kids as it all be stripped up from you in a second. Fair or not, that’s life. 🙏🏼
Marcus Latimore was the best player to ever come thru The University of South Carolina period. Including George Roger's and Jadavion Clowney. I love those guys as well but Marcus had a really special Ora about him. Very special human.
He’s the only back that I’ve seen that changed the way Spurrier called a game. For that he’s legendary. After his first injury he obviously lost a step, every yard after that was truly fought for. We witness him run himself into the ground. Dude has a gigantic heart, one that most of can only wish or dream of having.
Marcus is awesome person ,hard worker, and extremely intelligent. I hate to see people that don’t understand he’s more than just an athlete? Just because they don’t read poetry and creative writing assuming that he’s lost it. On the looking thinner than before…Stop going to the gym for 3 months and see what your body looks like, not sickly or too thing, just not overly bulkey like it is if you work out daily. He’s done everything the right way, and I’m sure he will continue to do so in his future endeavors. Spurs Up for Marcus….gamecock nation will always love and respect him for what he did for us. He gave us hope and belief, and showed us we could compete. He’s forever a winner!!
Went to Byrnes High School and watched Lattimore’s senior season. Dude was one of the most dominant high schoolers I’ve ever seen. He was also one of the kindest and most humble dudes out there. Guy would hang out with the jocks just as fast as he would sit at the marching band kids table.
I remember him! And I use to be super nervous when Tennessee played South Carolina after Marcus’s freshman year at South Carolina, he was so amazing all season long! And the crazy part is he did so well against Tennessee every time he played us, but the sad thing for me is that the injury was against Tennessee! Even though he was on South Carolina, he was lovable! Even today… Marcus Lattimore is so easy to root for. God had a bigger plan for him…sometimes God takes away something you love so much, so God can show you a better path. I suffered from a chronic illness (Crohn’s disease) and the crazy part is I first was diagnosed literally right after graduating from high school. I was a 2 time all state soccer player in the state of Tennessee, and I had a college scholarship lined up. It seemed like life was amazing, but literally days of pain, and then leading up to the doctor visit. I was tested and tested until it was confirmed that I did in fact have Crohn’s disease. I was extremely gullible, thinking there was a cure and I’ll be back to normal soon. Back to college and soccer, back to my NORMAL LIFE, but I was wrong. Long story short, I felt like God took that away from me…only to protect my future. The better path was the path I went through. Sometimes it’s hard to realize when you’re still super young (18) at the time, but I’m super thankful, and I hope, and almost sure that Marcus, is thankful for the direction his life took him.
Im a gamecocks fan and this was Magical time to be a gamecock fan..what a nasty injury..also only time we wont the sec east...so glad he went to the Gamecocks
Marcus and I met and became friends in 2022. He and his wife are incredible people and I’m grateful for their friendship. I only learned later that had a decorated college football career.
I watched the niners the entire time he was on the roster. I can't tell you how many people I've met who know him, and say he is a shining example of what people can be.
