Stanley Hunter played Clemson football until his epilepsy got in the way. Stanley decided in June that it was time to step away from the game. He is now a student-coach and hopes to have a coaching career at Clemson.
To honor Stanley, a different player will wear No. 17 in each game this season. The idea was started by Stanley's teammate Brandon Maye. The two grew close their freshman year and Maye said it came to him one day when he was studying the Bible.
"One time I was studying the Bible and God put it on my heart to honor Stanley and let his number go out in style. Then, after the game, other guys wanted to wear it in his honor," said Maye. "I had one of my best games ever, winning ACC defensive player of the week that week. It was a day I will never forget, but that's how wearing 17 started."
He wore the jersey in the first game against Middle Tennessee.
Other players wearing the jersey are Willy Korn, Chad Diehl, Crezdon Butler, Xavier Dye, Marquan Jones, DeAndre McDaniel, Jamie Harper, Sadat Chambers, Rashard Hall, Kavell Conner, and Jacoby Ford.
Dye was one of Stanley's high school teammates and wore the No. 17 jersey against TCU. I asked him what made him decide to honor Stanley with the rest of the guys.
"I decided to wear jersey 17 for Stanley Hunter because he has done so much to get here and now he may never play football again," remarked Dye. "However, I thought that it would be a great idea for us to wear his jersey, showing him that we do care about him and that we support him in everything he has done and is going to do."
I also spoke with Butler, who will be wearing No. 17 against NC State in a few weeks.
"It is going to be an honor to wear his jersey because I am still able to play football, a sport that I love and that Stanley loves. I commend him for working hard with us during the summer and the spring. He is a true team player."
It is obvious the love that is felt around the team for Stanley and I'm sure he will be remembered in Clemson football history for many years to come.
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