Jadeveon Clowney unleashes vicious hit vs. Michigan in 2013 Outback Bowl | ESPN Archives

Back in Jadeveon Clowney’s college days at the University of South Carolina, the star defender landed a now-infamous hit on Michigan running back Vincent Smith, jarring the ball loose for a fumble and popping off Smith’s helmet in the process during the 2013 Outback Bowl.
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[@CzarFace6012]

The refs weren't checking for a fumble, they just wanted to see the replay.

[@Cole-hx4ci]

Shittsy Giggle fax

[@PCCphoenix]

I think the refs were checking for a penalty! I thought there should have been one at first, but on closer inspection it was a clean hit even though the helmet came loose.

[@lukewarmice8292]

@@PCCphoenix you can't make an illegal hit on a RB.

[@PCCphoenix]

@@lukewarmice8292 I really thought it was helmet-to-helmet at first; so yes, it is possible.

[@mackmack5258]

Daniel Pippenger you cant call a penalty through review

[@cashking9383]

Best ball don’t lie moment I have ever seen

[@nachobroryan8824]

I'm just glad the tight end and tackle both decided to block the same linebacker instead of the defensive end right in front of them.

[@A.P.W_822]

Love how the last play was a missed 4th down turn over, then this play

[@orionalexander4506]

To think today that hit would have landed SC a flag.

[@warboynick]

Crazy thing is. If the qb read that and kept the ball, the guy wouldve still been rocked

[@Local990]

The Wentz dirty hit brought me back here smh this one was clean tho lol

[@juliangaskin941]

If the lost to Appalachian State in 07 didn’t end Michigan State Football, this hit surely did.

[@chapowiththesticks]

Homie woke up in the next episode of dragon ball z

[@dejohnthabeast]

SCAT PACK CHAPO 😭

[@nintendimps2582]

😂😂😂

[@gatman18]

SCAT PACK CHAPO 😂😂😂😂

[@Hunterhoneypackglazer1]

who else watched this live

[@chrisj7187]

Dillon McLaughlin I was in the stands. Half way up. You could hear the hit from there, it was that hard.

[@mrjones4432]

One of the most iconic plays in NCAA history

[@hugoking9778]

Not even

[@yazz_gotjazz5296]

Faxs

[@omnipepper3665]

MaybeNextTime cuz the dude sent robinson’s helmet into another dimension. And cuz it was a late game fumble.

[@rgractor]

MaybeNextTime defensive linemen go unblocked all the time in every game, yet I don’t see tons of plays like this for some reason. I don’t think your logic is sound.

[@yessirski1672]

MaybeNextTime i feel like you haven’t played football, the athleticism required to hit someone that hard is insane. look at his speed and power, that’s not something most ncaa athletes have. he was a freak of nature

[@raetekusu1]

Real talk, the presence of mind that Michigan player had after getting hit five time zones away to still try to wrap up Clowney's foot is admirable AF.

[@siriusblack7714]

I like his presence of mind to try and grab the football no matter how feeble the attempt was

[@Wholesome_content1]

@@E.Asinus i know him personally, great standup guy who helped me through some pretty dark times.

[@stopflexingtay]

@@Wholesome_content1 lyinf

[@TheBrotherHoodSports]

@@stopflexingtay white people stay lying

[@walteringle]

@@Wholesome_content1 Straight up lying. Dude was a massive douche

[@kryptonaryxx6418]

That bs call created one of the most iconic hits in NCAA history

[@zackwhite8274]

Best bad call in gamecock history

[@KirkThugins]

@@zackwhite8274agreed

[@Hablonoenlgles]

@@zackwhite8274IMO, this and the Auburn kick return are the most iconic plays of the decade, maybe in cfb history

[@PweeBurntPizza]

That might of been the nastiest hit I've ever seen and the 1 hand scoop fumble recovery!

[@jalennelson6599]

yociel is raw Ever seen the Taylor Mays hit against Penn St.? Lol

[@PweeBurntPizza]

@@jalennelson6599 well he knocked out 2 players but i still think that clowneys hit was better and it was a legal hit unlike mays

[@susanmartin5924]

the only thing that i saw that could be better is the kick six and i am a bulldog fan

[@godisgreat5141]

I agree that's one of the most viscous hits I've ever seen

[@brianrice6585]

I'm a Clemson fan and that is one of the natiest sacks on a quarter back ever. That was awesome. I wi sh we could of got him

[@angusdog22]

The helmet flying off his head is what made that hit look so vicious. It's like he decapitated that man

[@dabbydabby6484]

Is that running back ok? It's 2019 just checking

[@RobbieStacks90]

He's in the AAF now. He was an overrated scrub at Michigan and couldn't tie his own shoelaces. And Clowney has no heart and is being overpaid to waste money on cars and hookers.

[@yrnsheik4451]

@@nehemiahhoward8230 lol right

[@RobbieStacks90]

@@nehemiahhoward8230 Would be fine if I had pursued it. I'm only 29, so if I really cared to I could show up at the Giants or Jets training camp in RB cleats, put a few people on their asses, and show the coaches how a real alpha male gets down on the gridiron, but it doesn't really interest me that much.

[@tufoinproductions]

@@RobbieStacks90 Robinson was good at Michigan and the story behind why he didn't tie his shoelaces is a good one. Your assessment on Clowney is flat out wrong

[@KingC-way425]

@@RobbieStacks90 I love how you just go to comments section and talk about how tough you are. Bitch, there's a reason that you're not playing football. Clowney and that running back will snap you like a twig. Also, you're not an alpha male especially because of what you look like in your profile picture

[@vincenthutter6985]

I remember watching this hit live and I thought he killed the guy lol

[@shaneharbeson3937]

@Keevon Jones Carolina obviously stopped Michigan on a 4th and Short. The officials looked past a 6-inch short ball and called it a first down and HBC was furious!!! Thats when Spurrier said he wanted the ball, and well... it happened...

[@bcp5296d]

@@shaneharbeson3937 My dad doesn't get very excited during games even though he's a big SC fan. We both heard each other from opposite sides of the house on this play. We won't forget it either.

[@williambrown8249]

Well, these types of hits are proven to cause permanent, often life-ending, brain damage. It usually shows up when the player is 40-50 years old. :(

[@brianbethea3069]

I was at this game, with the band. The TV producers have to level out the crowd volume so that you can hear the announcers talk, and let me tell you, they must have had to turn those sliders all the way down on this one. It was deafening in that stadium for the next five minutes.

[@Hp-gc1kz]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@davidellis5141]

That play earned him millions of dollars. 💸

[@matthewshirts9523]

Not even close. The dude was one of the greatest high school prospects ever, and was hyped throughout his entire college career.

[@TruthSeeker30_]

He was the no1 national prospect coming out of Rock hill

[@timdarnell7819]

@@TruthSeeker30_ and hasn't played like it since that play, which made him millions of dollars

[@bryans1883]

@@timdarnell7819 that's not true at all. Watch the game not the stats. Clowney has always been a great edge defender when healthy

[@bigblue162]

No talent though.

[@ricbradley5323]

Some say that the Michigan player's helmet is still rolling somewhere today...

[@tenzinpassang4812]

Last seen in a western movie during a duel scene acting as a tumbleweed.

[@Gl6619]

Tenzin Passang cue “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” theme

[@bcp5296d]

Heard it was last seen near Jupiter.

[@demetrius067]

😆🤣🤣😁😁

[@johnmurray5355]

Legend has it his spirit still haunts the stadium

[@johndillinger4392]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@nefmoney3x]

😂😂😂

[@Calvin1985]

What??? He’s still alive.

[@liammonaghan4785]

@@Calvin1985 ok big nate

[@DewgittyDewg]

What the dead running back's ghost?

[@mattgarcia128]

Who’s here after clowney got traded

[@johnsmitherssmither6760]

Wanted him on my jets but at least he’s not on the bills and fins

[@scatpack_3925]

Matt Garcia 😂😂

[@juniortau2677]

Seahawks got a good one

[@jamestateIII]

A bit crazy the Texans let him go. Just goes to show don't matter how hard you work. They want "cheap" wins. Sports=modern day slavery....for lack of better word

[@sungodjrspot]

@@jamestateIII old sorry azz jj watt gets to continue to play half the season (wit his brittle azz)and no one says anything about that,he is costing the texans money! I thought the reason they drafted Clowney was because that fool watt couldnt stay healthy!?!

[@swood5505]

The fact that Clowney not only hit that guy that hard, but recovered the fumble, is crazy

[@veronicavaughn5923]

Bro, he palmed it with his non dominant hand! I know I’m super late to this, but that’s ridiculous strength. Also would be ejected in today’s game, imo.

[@timbrown5576]

@@veronicavaughn5923 The play happened so fast that there would be no way a ref can throw a flag. They would have to "assume" that the hit was illegal.😂

[@JatMane]

biggest hit ive ever seen live, my dad thought he was dead

[@williambrown8249]

These types of hits lead to permanent brain damage. There's a good chance he'll die prematurely when he's 40-50.

[@allenweeks9507]

Love your name

[@JatMane]

@@allenweeks9507 thanks :)

[@thecrowingcock6455]

I remember it like it was yesterday. The play before Michigan went for a fake punt and the ref said he got it even though it was for sure short of the first down. It really pissed me off and took the life out of the game and the CLOWNEY was Like “I got this” and then boom! And then I knew we had the game in our hands

[@zachknight3379]

I went from jumping up and down out of anger to jumping from excitement

[@reddfoxx897]

Exactly why I came here lol to see that justice be served

[@ericlynch9560]

My grandson said, "Bango!!!!!!"

[@g.williams2047]

You can feel the anger in that hit.

[@Tony52308]

6 years later and still get chills watching this play

[@jky3889]

Juxtapositioned against the previous play, it was poetic justice.

[@WyWid]

This was 9 years ago! I remember I saw this live and on the sports illustrated magazine. I was like 11 years old wow

[@youngo.g.3642]

Thoughts I was the only one with goosebumps everytime I witness this

[@ezmoney5087]

9 years later no better hit to date

[@johnfowler7289]

9 years now

[@michaelmiles5110]

I remember seeing this live and being amazed. It still is a great hit even years later. And being a Gamecock fan in this day and age, it's good to see some good days.

[@milkschalklate]

I was at this game as a Michigan fan . Obviously I was wishing for a different outcome but it was a good game and it was sweet seeing this play live! That crack was soooo loud throughout he stadium 😂😂

[@johnhutchison9782]

2021 would have Clowney ejected for targeting, and that would be sad. Vincent Smith's helmet still is rolling around on the field here in Tampa🤣 Go Blue!

[@ericmcgill179]

Hope you’re still a Gamecock fan because things are looking pretty good right now.

[@michaelmiles5110]

@@ericmcgill179 We have the newspapers from our win against Tennessee and Clemson framed. Happy to see the team have energy. And I hope to see Beamer for awhile.

[@peytonmubarak]

@@johnhutchison9782his helmet hit his chest did it not? That’s a clean hit. He hit him so hard that his helmet came off

[@rigelgutierrez9866]

Separated his spirit from his body.

[@bopbo8157]

😂😂

[@greatstate58]

That hit did so much for his pockets

[@bkbanks6258]

His fullback got him killed, suppose to attack the closest man inside smh.

[@Wadzillia]

They were running a trap. The right guard missed the block.

[@chrisauten2039]

That FB didnt want to be the one to become instantly infamous for getting blown tha hell up like the TB did!

[@TheTylerjames74]

Nah the tight end was supposed to block him pause it at 45 seconds he only puts a hand on and runs out to pick up someone else's guy

[@ohcomeon1111]

Tight ends fault. Watch him the whole way through. He ends up blocking no one

[@BIkopsking]

Y'all know that's the guard not the tight end right

[@coletadlock4323]

“Catch my breasts” never gets old lol

[@jadqn_]

Clowney hit that man so hard he took a one way trip to the shadow realm

[@demetrius067]

😆😆🤣🤣😁

[@snuffedtorch3683]

*Marik laughter*

[@GuySmithSmoke]

0:07. Announcer: "Great time to take a shot if you're Michigan." Clowney: hold by keg

[@shioriryukaze]

When I heard that I thought...funny you should mention that..

[@m0ntheg3rs]

O-line who this Clooney guy we need to block?

[@DSSabra]

Every Defensive Ends Dream (besides jumping a screen for a pick six)

[@sasha1551]

I'll still never forget this hit. I remember when I saw it happen my jaw dropped! I've never been so shocked from a hit before!

[@douglascarlson9006]

I've only seen one hit like this before ... '85 Bears DE Richard Dent actually dove over a blocker and head-butted a Rams RB so hard that he was propelled through the air backwards ... I'm still looking for the VID on this ...

[@ThyDesertNinja]

Anybody that knows the context of what happened before this play.... makes this hit 100x more satisfying.

[@Scubasteve5022]

💯 i know every game fans clamor about “the refs!” But the play that proceeded this was the worst call ive ever witnessed.

[@ryanm2818]

@@Scubasteve5022 best ball don’t lie moment in football history imo

[@Homiedreads]

We can all agree that this play solidified his draft pick

[@baller4429]

Who’s here after he did that to the eagles

[@michaelschaefer1904]

I've followed him since he was a freshman in college. He's not dirty, although he admitted that day to one Eagle he probably was overly aggressive on that play.

[@upt_ky6561]

He should have fought his lead blocker after this play😂😂he literally moved out of the way🤦🏾‍♂️

[@RobbieStacks90]

That's how I felt when it happened. I would have gotten up and grabbed my lineman and choked him into the ground Spre-style. Dumbass missed his blocking assignment and could have gotten his RB concussed.

[@getinthedamnrobot]

@@RobbieStacks90 It was a Leftside Power play; the lineman did fine. It was the fullback on the kick-out that missed his block.

[@Wadzillia]

@@getinthedamnrobot Wrong they was running a trap. The right guard pulling missed the block.

[@LOCKK3TT]

Jason G wrong it was a rpo by the running back who had the option to pass or throw

[@Wadzillia]

@@LOCKK3TT lol you don't know what a trap is.

[@fromthehaven94]

Should be titled: "How I Instantly Became the #1 Overall Pick".

[@SemonDemon6]

New heights anyone?

[@musyarofah1]

the 'Ball Don't Lie!' moment of football. Period.

[@davidrooney1042]

I may be a Michigan fan but this is the greatest hit of all time!

[@andrewmarocco7811]

I had neighbors who were Michigan fans. They had a bunch of people over and we're watching this on the back patio, which abutted my yard. The roar from their guests was amazing. Even Michigan fans loved this hit.

[@Michael-jw6et]

Michigam fans loved their running back being smeared and then fumbling and loosing the ball? Odd.

[@Targetlocked86em]

0:30 Did He say "give me this long, to catch my breast"?

[@matthewmarano3271]

Yes he did hahaha

[@haroldfrets1268]

Yes he did. It's called a mistake. And it's been made by EVERY HUMAN in earth's history........next!!?!!

[@jaytonthagreat1953]

Breast he say

[@TW-hb2cr]

One of the most memorable and impressive defensive plays ever in college footbal.

[@kkrummelrhs]

Legend has it that the helmet is still bouncing away from Clowney

[@Ghostface975]

This play made this man millions literally

[@sasha1551]

To this day this remains the craziest hit I’ve ever seen live during a game,

[@JM_Solo]

What makes this hit so amazing and what made it so wonderful at the time, was the previous play that gave UM the first down. The refs had to bring the chains to measure, but absolutely botched the call. The camera clearly showed the runner was short but the refs somehow gave them the first down and directly in front of the SC sideline. It pissed them off. Took the energy out of the crowd. Everyone was just shocked. And then Clowney happened

[@HistoricalWonder720]

Today they would have called that a late hit, targeting, helmet to helmet, eject him and arrest him in the locker room 😂

[@fluid_thoughts2782]

The best play of his whole entire football career.

[@Bullboy_Adventures]

Literal one hit wonder

[@rarshibond]

Word on campus is, that helmet is still rolling.

[@colinlane4977]

This play is what made him the Number 1 Overall Pick.

[@wolferine6466]

Dude could’ve been one of the best of all time if he worked harder.

[@kevincharles1983]

I agree

[@dowutado]

Isn't that the story for so many. It's hard to put the grueling work in with the money he made. Didn't Kobe just say something about how much greater Shaq could have been if he kept himself in shape.

[@RoadblockTDX]

Hes been plagued by injuries. I dont think its work ethic.

[@magmax76]

This hit propelled his whole career.

[@savagesooner4891]

What was the TE job? Dude missed a block by a mile!!

[@drewzuhosky6826]

Who's here after the Cleveland Browns signed him?

[@blakebutler8929]

Clowney absolutely clobbered that dude

[@irock632]

This hit is absolutely iconic

[@arnoldmayii3563]

This highlight will forever be AWESOME!

[@BigGreen1981]

Single greatest defensive play of all time.

[@joeschmo7834]

The best play from his football career came as a sophomore in college. What a physical beast Clowney was.

[@aaronvanzile3824]

I remember watching this live, picking up food at a wing place in the heart of Ohio State territory. I just happened to be waiting right in front of the TV when this hit happened and that place exploded like the buckeyes won a national championship

[@elaineshropshire1325]

Especially considering OHIO state lost two bowl games in a row to South Carolina.

[@Jinz3]

Single greatest tackle of all time

[@PCCphoenix]

"Great time to take a shot right now for Michigan." What happens at 0:19 is clearly NOT the "shot" this commentator had in mind! 😳

[@jamesscott9818]

Still one of the best plays hands down.

[@xgnofearzthe10thgenlegend82]

Lmfao. Hits dude and says thank you very much I’ll be taking this...

[@941skuddy4]

His helmet still rolling til this day

[@christianvaldez8534]

I was there in the stadium that day... little did I know I would witness a little bit of history haha

[@redseaford9426]

Harden to the line then?

[@TheDCGuitar13]

That was a “remember where you were when it happened” type play

[@michaelpitts8139]

Might be the best defensive play in college ball that I have ever ever. I was watching this game all the way through and it was going back and forth and this just cemented things.

[@_pimes_]

Best “ball don’t lie” moment of all time

[@ralphiecifaretto8961]

I don't understand why he gets so much praise for this hit. That was more about Michigan's line not having anyone block him.

[@maxton-_-4243]

This is the greatest football hit ever

[@seanoconnor5730]

The quickest play in football history. I hope the running back is still ok.

[@salazarraul2792]

He has a story to tell his grand kids the was the laughing stock in ESPN highlights!

[@lukesegars5466]

I bet this would’ve been a flag today, unfortunately!

[@jackcorcoran1778]

Luke Segars nope, perfect form tackle, hit him in the chest, also not a defenseless player

[@bariluckymonth9111]

Nah

[@Jch434]

Greatest hit I’ve ever seen live. Instant karma for the refs screwing them the previous play

[@SageTD20]

Welcome to Seattle. Let's get this Bowl.

[@careful7951]

The Eagles should have picked him up. Jadeveon Clowney is going to make Seattle Seahawks defense a lot better.

[@johnnolan33177]

WOMP WOMP

[@johnnolan33177]

@@careful7951 I wish they would have just for the helmet to helmet downward spike at the back of Carson Wentz head would have never happened. Other than that, the Eagle line is always solid. They take care of the two lines,

[@ihatezen]

lol

[@B3Band]

whoops...

[@brettanderson5267]

Diehard Michigan fan here, but SC deserved this. Most idiotic call ever on the preceding play.

[@jones_edition]

Saw this hit live and I had to come back to watch it again. Incredible after a bad call. SEC!

[@paulozhan]

Who is Michigan #81, I can't find record of his existence anywhere, not even on Michigan's official site

[@francisngannouhaircut2616]

Freak of nature. OLine not fast enough, quick enough, some not strong enough to block this dude

[@jpowers55]

And that's a Michigan line. They don't recruit scrubs at that position.

[@Dsteiner7716]

That was a trap play. The guard pulled and missed him and didn’t get there fast enough

[@godisgreat5141]

Most vicious hit ive ever seen

[@elaineshropshire1325]

That helmet landed in my yard.

[@poseidon699]

He manhandled the shit out of that ball 😂

[@brandontrumbull24]

He got in the backfield so quick I truly thought he could have always tackled QB and RB but he got back there SO FAST he probably could have just stole the ball from the QB before the attempted handoff

[@Dalvin2k]

Watching this as a child, I though his head came off. This was the first time I saw someone’s helmet pop off.

[@ninotorres51]

I was always so focused on the hit I never noticed that Clowney got through untouched otherwise that play probably wouldn't have happened. And that's the play that put him on the map to be drafted by the Texans who obviously no longer have a need for him

[@acrane1100]

That's a penalty today. Not because it's against the rules, just because it's awesome.

[@chucknorriss5452]

Imagine being the ref who sabotaged them the play before. Then Clowney comes in and says, nice try, but you're losing whatever bet you had.

[@NAT-turners-Revenge]

😅

[@donaldzoltowski1162]

This would have been called targeting today.

[@TheBigBlackElephant]

I saw this live years ago. The fact that got the ball back with that hit was incredible. I was in shock.

[@clintturner4995]

It' 2023 and I bet the running back still has nightmares.

[@nashvilleslim]

Now he's playing for my titans hope he's a legend.

[@ericsmith6823]

hes like Mario Williams up and down

[@phillyfrak2462]

Clowney hit him so hard it took Michigan 11 years to recover

[@zayuhtoven9295]

Who’s here after he got traded

[@Joshua24155]

That is the most vicious hit I have ever seen on live Tv🤣.

[@JL_YT24]

running back wakes up with nightmares of clowney

[@MoveInSilence36]

This never gets old