DeAndre Hopkins and Deshaun Watson are among the list of NFL athletes looking to create change and racial equality. The wide receiver and quarterback, former teammates at Clemson and with the Houston Texans, want their school to take action.
Hopkins and Watson took to Twitter Monday to support a petition asking Clemson to remove the name of a slave supporter from an honors building at the school in South Carolina.
They tweeted a petition started by Clemson student Roann Abdeladl demanding the removal of former U.S. Vice President John C. Calhoun’s name from the school’s Calhoun Honors College.
Hopkins, now an Arizona Cardinal, tweeted first and Watson followed hours later.
Clemson University still honors the name of slave owner John C. Calhoun on its buildings, signs, and in the name of its honors program. I am joining the voices of the students and faculty to restarted this petition to rename the Calhoun Honors College. https://t.co/1198BZ8FeS pic.twitter.com/xQmXmBPUeW
— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) June 8, 2020
Clemson University should not honor slave owner John C. Calhoun in any way. 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.https://t.co/GdhtCZKFnZ
— Deshaun Watson (@deshaunwatson) June 9, 2020
Part of the petition reads:
As students, alumni, faculty, staff, friends, and fans of Clemson University and the Calhoun Honors College, we demand that the University — without further delays or excuses — remove John C. Calhoun’s name from one of our most distinguished academic programs. Calhoun, who on the floor of the U.S. Senate advocated for the expansion of slavery as a “positive good,” exemplifies institutional racism and white supremacy.
Calhoun was the seventh vice president of the United States from 1825-32 and represented South Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. He was a slave owner and staunch advocate of slavery.
“Slavery is indispensable to a republican government,” is a quote attributed to Calhoun.
Hopkins made a statement on Instagram regarding his feelings and why does not acknowledge the school before NFL games.
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. 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. Please help us by signing and sharing this petition here: tinyurl.com/calhounpetition