Former Clemson running back passes away
Tragic news out of Elberton, Georgia as former Clemson running back Tyshon Dye passed away after drowning in the swimming area at Richard B. Russell state park.
According to the Elberton Journal, Elbert County Coroner Chuck Almond has identified the victim as Tyshon Dye, 25 years of age, who drowned in the swimming area at Richard B. Russell state park.
Deputy Elbert County Coroner Beth Seymour and the Elbert Dive Team, along with the assistance of Elbert County First Responders, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and members of the Hart County Dive Team, recovered the victim’s body at 5:54 p.m. at the swimming area of Russell State Park.
Dye was reportedly swimming in the lake Russell park swimming area when witnesses stated he went under and emergency services were called to the scene.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Dye and his brothers attempted to swim across a cove in the park’s beach area, but Dye decided to turn back.
“It’s hard to tell if he got exhausted and cramped up,” Seymour said. “But he went under.”
Dye played for Clemson as a running back from 2014 through 2016 before transferring to East Carolina in 2017. Dye finished his career with 76 carries for 351 yards and 5 touchdowns. He earned a bachelor’s degree in parks, recreation & tourism management from Clemson in May 2017.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said, "All of our hearts are just broken. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. I can honestly say Tyshon Dye is one of the sweetest souls I've ever been associated with or coached. We're just all heartbroken tonight, and we're praying for his family and know that he's been called home."
Dye was a member of Clemson's 2016 squad that secured the program's second national championship. He appeared in seven games that season, recording 53 offensive snaps and accruing 109 yards on 21 carries. He scored a rushing touchdown in Clemson's 56-10 road win against Boston College that year.
Dye attended Elbert County (Ga.) Comprehensive High School, where he earned region offensive player of the year honors as a senior.
At Elbert County, Dye was selected to the North-South All-Star game as a senior. He also played four years of basketball for the Blue Devils and competed four years as a track and field athlete at ECCHS.
The investigation continues by local authorities.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and former teammates.