Diondre Overton, a two-time national champion and former Clemson receiver, has died, the school announced Saturday.
He was 26 years old.
Per the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, Overton was shot and killed at a party in Greensboro, N.C., and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Deputies initially received a call around 2:30 a.m. regarding the party and a noise disturbance, according to the release, before later gathering additional information about the shooting.
Diondre Overton of the Clemson Tigers, who died at the age of 26, runs with the ball against the Louisville Cardinals at Cardinal Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. Getty Images
Receiver Diondre Overton #14 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates with wide receiver Cornell Powell #17 after catching a touchdown pass against the Furman Paladins in 2018. Getty ImagesThe Guilford County Sheriff’s Office said a homicide investigation is active and in the works.
Overton won national championships with the Tigers in 2016 and 2018.
“Clemson Football and the entire Clemson Family mourns the passing of Clemson alumnus Diondre Overton,” the school wrote in a social media post. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Overton had 52 catches for 777 yards and seven touchdowns during his four seasons with the Tigers, which voted him a senior team captain in 2019.
Diondre Overton won two national championships while playing for Clemson. Diondre Overton/Instagram “It took the wind out of my body this morning,” Swinney said after Clemson’s 66-20 victory over Appalachian State on Saturday night. “He truly was one of the sweetest-spirited kids we’ve had come through here. My heart hurts.”
Before the game, there was a moment of recognition for Overton and two Clemson players, quarterback Trent Pearman and safety Rob Billings, who both wear No. 14, led the Tigers down the hill in honor of Overton, who also wore No. 14.
The school also posted a photo of a Clemson balloon and flowers laid by a plaque with Overton’s name on campus.
He was not drafted to the NFL and spent time in the CFL, European League of Football, USFL’s Philadelphia Stars and then the UFL, after being taken by the Memphis Showboats in this year’s dispersal draft.
The tributes from former Clemson teammates have already begun being posted to social media.
Star Bengals receiver Tee Higgins wrote in a post to his Instagram Stories: ‘Brotha I miss you already man. I love you 5L. I’m hurtin bad bout this right now.’
Cardinals defensive end Xavier Thomas also professed how much Overton meant to him.
Former Clemson receiver Diondre Overton died at the age of 26. Diondre Overton/Instagram“1of1 most purest genuine happy souls. I love you to death man,” he posted to Instagram. “Doing it all for you dawg. Fly high. See you on the other side brother’”
Added former Clemson teammate Amari Rodgers on X: “Life ain’t fair man!!! Please tell your loved ones you love them cause you truly never know.”
— with AP
