South Carolina remembers Gamecock Jesus before women’s basketball game
The first seat in the sixth row of the Cockpit at Colonial Life Arena sat empty Wednesday night draped with a garnet, black and white flag.
In front of the seat sat a framed photo of a beloved Gamecocks fan. In the image, both arms were raised flashing the “spurs up” sign. A caption under the photo read:
“In memory of ‘Gamecock Jesus’ Carlton Thompson,” accompanied by a Gamecocks logo and the word “believe.”
Carlton Thompson — known as South Carolina super fan Gamecock Jesus or Baseline Jesus — died this week at 69 years old after a battle with prostate cancer. The seat will remain empty for the rest of the 2023-24 season.
Thompson became an revered figure in the world of South Carolina athletics by manning the baseline at men’s and women’s basketball games, feverishly waving the Gamecock flag he brought to each event without fail. His long hair and beard prompted the Jesus nickname, but his yellow Crocs, Gamecocks bandanna and garnet shirt that read, “Believe” were also part of his iconography.
“I am just trying to share the enthusiasm I have and get people to get up on their feet and create a real home-court advantage because that is what really helps,” Thompson told The State in 2015. “The players really feed off the crowd, especially the students. That is why I am here jumping around every game.”
The South Carolina women’s basketball team held a moment of silence in Thompson’s honor before the national anthem played ahead of the game against Morgan State.
Head coach Dawn Staley reflected on Thompson’s impact after the game:
“You feel him not being in the building because he brought so much energy. He always laid his heart on the line for all of Gamecock Nation, all of our sports programs. He was a mainstay. And to lose him, to not ever be able to see that flag go up or hear him stomp. We’re gonna miss it. But his legacy will live on because he was everything that was right in being a giver. He was a great human being. And I hope that we all can take a little bit of what he gave to so many people. If we add that to our lives, we’ll be better people better.
“The world will be better overall if we take a little bit of Gamecocks Jesus with us.”
This story was originally published December 6, 2023 at 7:13 PM.
