Dec. 20, 2011
CLEMSON, SC – Former Clemson All-American Jackie Calvert died Sunday, December 18, 2011 in Myrtle Beach, SC. Calvert lettered in both track and football between 1947-50. Nicknamed “The Kid” by Clemson coach Frank Howard because Calvert was one of the younger players on the team in 1947 as a freshman. He was a major contributor on the undefeated 1948 Gator Bowl champions and team captain for the 1950 undefeated team that finished the season ranked 10th in the nation, Clemson’s first top 10 team.
He was named NEA First-Team All American Safety and a second-team selection by Associated Press that same year. He had 1,220 all-purpose yards, best on the team. He still holds the Clemson career record for rushing yards per attempt with 5.92, ahead of second place C.J. Spiller who finished with a 5.85 average. Calvert is second in Clemson history in passing yards per attempt at 8.76.
In 1977 Calvert was inducted into the Clemson University Athletic Hall of Fame. Calvert was a 25th round selection of the Los Angeles Rams at the 1951 NFL draft.
A First Lieutenant in the US Army and then the South Carolina National Guard, he built a lifelong career in textile machinery sales in North and South Carolina.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jean Stephens Calvert and their two children: Lucia Calvert Gore and her husband George Gore of Myrtle Beach; James Stephens Calvert and his wife Mary Pat Calvert of Raleigh, NC. Four grandchildren also survive him: Carolyn Gore, George Gore Jr., Lachlan Calvert and McCallum Calvert, and a special sister-in-law Carolyn Stephens Burroughs.
Memorials may be made to the Jackie W. and James H. Calvert Scholarship at the Clemson University Foundation, PO Box 1889, Clemson SC 29633.
December 11, 2024
December 10, 2024
