Easily Marcus Lattimore’s career ending injury against Tennessee. The most memorable and the saddest.

Perhaps the most beloved Gamecock in recent memory; a young man of stellar character finally coming back strong after his first bad injury. Probably the HBC’s favorite player here.

I saw the play and saw his leg swing awkwardly through the air. Turned to my wife and said: “Marcus is down. It looks bad.” It took a few more seconds for the play to finish and the people on the field to react. Marcus knew it. Jeff Guy, the team doctor (a damn fine Orthopaedic surgeon and a helluva nice guy) ran out with the trainers.

You could hear a pin drop. Both teams - Gamecocks and Vols - went on the field and took a knee together. People held hands or put their hands over their mouths in shock. Many prayed. Although obviously really bad, it wasn’t the worst injury I’ve seen - that was a UVA player who broke his neck — it was the most emotional because of who it was and how hard he had worked to come back.

Marcus was taken off on the cart with a towel on his head and Dr. Guy comforting him. The crowd applauded and there were a few desultory cries of support but no cheers. Everyone there knew what it meant- that there was no hope this fine young man blessed with incredible talent and purpose would suit up for us again. That we would never again see the special power and grace with which he ran the football. That his dream of the NFL was gone.

I’ve seen wonderful moments too - the goal posts coming down in rapturous joy when we ended the 21 game losing streak (something those poor suffering Alabama fans will never experience). But that awful day Marcus went down — yeah, that’s the one I’ll always remember.