Vic Beasley, Connor Shaw speak on faith and friends
During the previous three years, if Vic Beasley ever stood this close to Connor Shaw, it meant someone missed a block.
That happened twice in 2013.
Beasley, then a junior defensive end at Clemson University, notched two sacks on Shaw, then a senior quarterback at the University of South Carolina, when the rivals met that season.
Shaw graciously reminded Beasley of those sacks Monday night before the two shared the stage at the Coaches 4 Character program. Shaw also reminded Beasley that after those sacks, USC proceeded to its fifth consecutive win against Clemson.
With the exception of a few good-natured quips, Shaw and Beasley suspended the rivalry for a few hours. They turned their allegiance to a unified message on the importance of positive friends and persistent faith.
"The priority is your education and your friendships at this point in your life," Shaw told the crowd of young students and fans. "The people you are around the most have the most effect on your life."
The usually soft-spoken Beasley compellingly echoed Shaw's stance.
"My message is basically making sure you're putting your faith first," Beasley said. "Make sure you surround yourself with the right people. It will take you a long way. It will keep you away from negative things."
Beasley and Shaw's message resonated with Hillcrest High School students Maddie Watts and Jaalin Scott, the two recipients of The Greenville News Character Award.
"The big thing is hanging around the right people, maintaining great character throughout your life," said Scott, a standout linebacker on the Hillcrest state championship football team who has earned a 4.24 grade point average.
Watts stars on the Hillcrest volleyball team while maintaining a 4.74 grade point average. She said she was moved mostly by Shaw and Beasley's messages on confidence, perseverance and gratitude.
"It's about just being who you are and having self-confidence with that," Watts said. "Faith, like Vic said, has to be a big part of life. That's really my rock, and that's what I lean on when things are tough."
Beasley and Shaw once stood on opposite sides of the ball and opposite sides of a heated rivalry. On Monday night, they stood on the same stage, and on the same side of inspiration.
"With an occasion like this and an event that's for a great cause, I think everybody understands that the rivalry ends for tonight," Shaw said with a laugh. "I'm sure it'll crank back up tomorrow morning."