When Marcus Lattimore suffered his second knee injury in two years in 2012 and subsequently declared for the NFL draft, everyone knew sooner or later he’d be back in Columbia making an impact. In 2015, Lattimore made his way back — not to the football field, but rather off the field to the 38th annual Sigma Nu Game Ball Run.
The Game Ball Run is a 140-mile philanthropic event hosted and run by USC and Clemson's Sigma Nu chapters as a part of Rivalry Week. This year, proceeds raised by USC's chapter went to the Marcus Lattimore Foundation, calling for his presence at the event. The foundation is committed to helping young athletes both academically and medically. Lattimore and his family also strive to emphasize values, character and health and wellness through the foundation.
“The whole main reason for me starting my foundation was to help injured athletes and to empower them and let them know that there’s life after a sport,” Lattimore said. “I mean you can't play the game as long as you want to. Just to empower athletes and young people and let them know there’s life after a sport.”
Lattimore speaks from experience. After his career was cut short by devastating knee injuries, Lattimore recognized the worth of empowering student athletes to do something beyond their sport. Lattimore used his skills and knowledge as an athlete to inspire others with his foundation. Lattimore’s stepfather Vernon Smith and mother Yolanda Smith say they are proud of the way their son has continued to be an influence on the community outside of athletics.
“It’s very rewarding because it’s always something that was instilled in him, because we’ve always done the same,” Vernon Smith said of the families regular volunteerism. “Everything is based off of our experiences so it’s kind of instilled in him to give back to the community.”
Interim head coach Shawn Elliott ran the final leg of Sigma Nu's Game Ball Run alongside Lattimore in support.
“Well, you know it’s supporting a great foundation,” Elliott said. “To be able to give back with this fine fraternity Sigma Nu is just really special. Any time you can do anything with the community that’s worth while you need to get out and do it.”
The Game Ball Run was also a great opportunity for some healthy competition with Clemson.
Each year, Sigma Nu at USC competes against Sigma Nu at Clemson to raise the most amount of money for the charity of their choice. While the USC chapter chose to support the Marcus Lattimore Foundation, Clemson's Sigma Nu ran to raise money for Dabo Swinney's All In Foundation, which focuses on education and health in the state of South Carolina. Many of the students were excited to have another opportunity to compete with Clemson.
Fourth-year real estate and marketing student John Stathakis served a Sigma Nu's Philanthropy Chair and worked directly with the foundation to organize the event.
“We’ve put a lot of hard work into this, it's also a rivalry thing of course," Stathakis said. "The Clemson team is supporting Dabo Swinney's All In Foundation, so this is a great opportunity to support a good cause and try to beat Clemson at the same time."
In years past, South Carolina's Sigma Nu has supported various charities. This year, however, the brothers wanted to better connect with the South Carolina Campus and all Gamecocks by teaming up with Lattimore and his foundation, since Lattimore is such a beloved figure in Carolina's athletic history. In total, the event has raised $32,000, and the fraternities are collecting donations until game day.
Although Lattimore's family always knew their son would grow up be an inspiration, the level of influence he has reached continues to amaze them. His mother highlighted the pride that she feels for her son by supporting him and his foundation at the event.
“Man, as a mother to have a child that is endured by not just a few people but an entire state is awe-inspiring,” Yolanda said. “He inspires me, and he gives me the motivation to keep going and to always want to help the next person and everything else.”
In his closing remarks, Lattimore highlighted what service means to him.
“The mission of my foundation is to help injured athletes,” Lattimore said. “But the whole thing I want you to know is I just want to help people.”
Sports staff writer Abe Danaher contributed to this story.