The Gamecocks football team will honor the “Emanuel 9,” the nine victims of the Charleston church shooting, throughout the season with a special helmet sticker.

According to the team's website, Athletics Director Ray Tanner said, "The tragedy that happened in Charleston doesn't just affect people in Charleston; it affects the entire state. We feel very much a part of that at the university. Coach Steve Spurrier and University President Harris Pastides felt very strongly that the 'Emanuel 9' should be recognized."

The logo was designed by South Carolina artist Gil Shuler. It depicts a symbolic Palmetto tree shaped with nine doves, representing the victims of the June 17 mass shooting: Cynthia Marie Graham Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lee Lance, Depayne Middleton-Doctor, Clementa C. Pinckney, Tywanza Sanders, Daniel Simmons, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton and Myra Thompson.

The Gamecocks will face the North Carolina Tar Heels in their season opener.

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South Carolina State University head football coach Chennis Berry joined the team in 2023 after coaching at Benedict College, a historically Black college in Columbia, South Carolina. Last year, Berry's team saw its season end in heartbreak in the Celebration Bowl and this time, it ended in triumph with a 40-38 win. (Courtesy of South Carolina State Athletics)

Credit: South Carolina State University Athletics

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