Throwback Thursday: Rodney Blunt

In this edition of Throwback Thursday John Chancey looks at Clemson football great Rodney Blunt.

Rodney Blunt – Running Back, 1989-93

• RTR 200 Ranking: 165
• 2,173 rushing yards (17th in school history)
• 13 touchdowns
• 40 receptions for 283 yards

Rodney Blunt hasn’t just made a difference on the field for the Clemson Tigers, he has made a difference in his community for the next generations, and he credits his Clemson family for making him the person he is today.

Blunt played football for Pine Forest High School in Pensacola, Florida. In his final two years for the Eagles, he helped lead them to a 26-1 record and two state championships.

Woody McCorvey recruited Blunt to Clemson in 1989. He led the Tigers in rushing during two ACC Championship seasons in 1991 & 1992. He led Clemson in rushing during the ’92 campaign with 817 yards. One of the highlights of that season was Clemson’s 40-7 victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels, when Blunt rushed for three touchdowns in Death Valley. The Tigers won three bowl games during Blunt’s Clemson career.

After Clemson football, Blunt began a career in law enforcement and helped found an organization that helped youth reach their potential

After his Clemson career, Blunt began a career in law enforcement. In 2021, he helped establish City Streets to Student Athletes, which helps young people realize their potential through youth sports. Blunt explains his motivation:

"“I have witnessed drugs and crime devastate and derail people from reaching their full potential. CS2SA was established to deter athletic students from drugs and crime in the city streets and develop them into productive student-athletes.”"

How has Clemson impacted Blunt? He explains:

"“The Clemson Family is like the ultimate tree. Clemson is my roots. It is where I started and where I grew into a man. Clemson is where I started my family. CS2SA is a branch of that ultimate tree. The foundation and work ethics I learned at Clemson are wholly embedded into the fibers of CS2SA. How could I not share my family tree with CS2SA?”"