2019 Hall of Fame Inductee: Rashad Faison

Rashad Faison (1999-2002) earned the reputation as one of the greatest tacklers in South Carolina football history. Now he can add Hall of Famer next to his impressive statistics. Faison is one of nine members of the 2019 class for the University of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame sponsored by the Association of Lettermen.

“I had a call from Coach (Ray) Tanner, who I look up to a lot,” Faison said of his Hall of Fame phone call. “I always admired him for what he was able to do as the athletic director, but also when I was there, he was the baseball coach. I was probably one of their underground biggest fans. I was so excited but didn’t know why he was calling me. We spoke on the phone and he told me about the Hall of Fame. I instantly called my mother and I was almost in tears. It’s one thing to know what you did, but for other people to recognize what you did is special. I was just ecstatic and pumped up. I was glad to know the university recognized me and what actually took place in my tenure here. I didn’t play in the NFL for very long, but it’s always about bouncing back and being a Gamecock. It made my year, and I’ve been hyped about it ever since!”

After being named a Freshman All-American in 1999, Faison went on to become the South Carolina record holder with 247 unassisted career tackles. The former defensive back currently ranks seventh in total tackles with 349, 10th in tackles for loss with 27.5, and ranks fourth in school history with 25 career passes broken up.

“The reason I chose the school was the close-knit atmosphere,” Faison said. “Everybody was polite and friendly. My approach was a little bit different as at the time the coach of the team was Brad Scott, and he was a family friend of mine. His son and I were pretty much like family and really good friends. It was an easy fit for me to make the decision.”

Early in Faison’s career there was a coaching change as the team was going through tough times, but that is what spurred him on to become one of the team’s all-time greats.

“Coming in that year we had, I’d say, a top ten class in the country, and we knew at some point we were good enough to turn it around,” Faison said. “I’ve always loved a challenge. So back in those days you could always go to Florida or Miami, the teams that were winning National Championships at the time and be a part of them. However, I think it takes something different to try and change things. To come to another university and change the culture is harder and that’s what everybody in that ’98 class took on. For me, that was the number one starting point, just trying to do something different and be part of something special.”

“My big deal is really working and mentoring with kids since college.”

Faison’s memories of his time at South Carolina center around the rebuilding that the program successfully accomplished.

“As a team we came together that summer after the ’98 season and working well with the incoming staff of Lou Holtz,” Faison said. “I knew it was a clean slate for everyone to make their mark. I was able to step up on the field and become a Freshman All-American through great coaching and opportunity. That’s the thing about being a Gamecock that I’ve always liked. You are going to have opportunities, but you have to make them work for you. I was a scrawny kid trying to make a name for himself and I think I managed to do that. I enjoyed that.

“I had people coming to me and always talking to me asking why I didn’t go to this school or that school. Well things work out for different people in different ways. I had a cousin of mine who came on a visit with me to South Carolina, but he chose the University of Miami. He may have a national championship ring, but I didn’t sit on the bench for most of my career. I managed to get on the field and show my skill set and helped changed the program around.”

Those teams that Faison was a part of helped pave the way for the future of Gamecock football.

“Steve Spurrier came a few years later, but would we have got him if it weren’t for the winning seasons in 2001 and 2002?” Faison said. “We took that next step as a program and now we have Muschamp and top recruits. We took that as a powerful situation, and I speak for my teammates that we started something. That was where winning 10 games wasn’t far-fetched, and so when other groups could come in, they felt like they can do it. We changed that mindset.”

After his career, Faison played professionally before focusing on what he felt was most important to him.

“I played Canadian ball and worked with the Pittsburgh Steelers for a little bit,” Faison said. “But I came back home to Florida and coached high school football and worked in corrections for a while. My big deal is really working and mentoring with kids since college. I’ve just been finding a way to give people the knowledge that I was able to come across that I may not have had when I was ten to fifteen years old. That’s the biggest thing being a total community person and being able to give back in more ways, like with knowledge and love. In this day and age, I think that’s where we are lacking the most in my opinion.”

Faison is looking forward to his return to Columbia for the Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies.

“I’m looking forward to being around the family again,” Faison said. “It’ll mean so much just to be around those that have been through and experienced the same things that I felt. As you grow up and you go into the workforce, you’re surrounded by different people from all different walks of life. So, going through the ceremony I’ll know that the men and women in that room with me will have all been through the comradery of the team. Knowing they have dealt with that is what I’m looking forward to.”

Faison and eight others will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Thursday, October 17, at Colonial Life Arena, as well as recognized at the South Carolina-Florida football game on Saturday, October 19. 

To reach more about the 2019 Hall of Fame class, click here.