Hard-Headed but Faithful: Hunter Renfrow Follows God’s Path Back to the Carolinas

Last week, the Carolina Panthers fell to 0-2 after a loss to Arizona. Former Clemson wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, a Myrtle Beach, SC native and Socastee High alum, caught two touchdown passes in the 22-27 loss to the Cardinals. On Sunday, he gets the chance to step onto the field in Charlotte for his first home game with the Panthers after sitting out the 2024 NFL season.

Renfrow, who spent his first five years in the league with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, didn’t downplay the significance of playing less than three and a half hours from where he grew up.

“It's gonna be fun. I have a good bit of family coming. So, it'll be fun to get out there, but I think I'll be focused on hopefully getting a win,” Renfrow said this week. 

Renfrow’s comeback hasn’t been without hurdles. After sitting out last season while battling ulcerative colitis, he earned rave reviews during the Panthers' preseason camp. Still, he was cut before the season opener — only to be brought back to the 53-man roster following roster shifts that included Adam Thielen’s trade to Minnesota and Jalen Coker’s placement on injured reserve.

Panthers head coach Dave Canales admitted the decision wasn’t automatic, wanting assurance that both sides were aligned after Renfrow was slowed by a hamstring issue.

The veteran receiver said he needed a moment to make sure the timing was right with his wife, Camilla, pregnant with their third child. 

“I just made sure that this is what I wanted to do, make sure that this is where I wanted to be, which I was pretty sure of it,” said Renfrow on Sept. 1 after his return. “But [I] just wanted a couple of days to kind of make sure it was good with my wife, my family, and to go and give everything I got to it.”

He also spoke about the importance and value of commitment. 

"My dad instilled in me and my mom as well that when you commit to something, you're committed to it. You know it's not something you take lightly, and it's not something where Week 7 or 8 you realize, man, this is tougher than I wanted. So being able to make that commitment to people to say, 'I'm going to be here through the good, through the bad, through the long haul' is important to me."

Renfrow’s loyalty to Carolina was tested. Multiple teams reached out through his agent while he weighed his future, but the former Raider never entertained the offers.

"So, I never really asked him [which teams], because this is where I wanted to be. I was either going to be here or not play. I think it's kind of what it came down to."

Much like his decision to walk on at Clemson, Renfrow, who won the 2018 Burlsworth Trophy, given to the best college player who began his career as a walk-on, said faith played a role in his choice to stick with Carolina.

“I'm a little hard-headed at times. When I was coming to Clemson, I had a few other offers, but I felt like that's where God wanted me for whatever reason. So I walked on to Clemson," he explained, "I felt like he wanted me here for whatever reason. And this could end tomorrow, right? But I think just trying to be obedient to that, trying to follow his path for my life. And sometimes it's not always what's best for me, but I feel like this is where he wants me. And so that's kind of what went into that decision.”

After opening the season with just two catches for 11 yards against Jacksonville, Renfrow’s breakout against Arizona reminded everyone of his 2021 Pro Bowl form. Still, he insists he hasn’t gotten caught up in his personal resurgence.

"Not a ton. I think appreciation, gratitude," noted Renfrow, when asked if he’s reflected on his comeback and touchdowns. "I think you sign up to be the best teammate you can. You sign up to go out there and give everything you've got. And when you focus on individual accolades, that distracts you from the team environment. So that's kind of where my mind's been, and that's where I've been trying to put my focus. And so hopefully we get it done this weekend."

Renfrow has nine receptions for 49 yards and two touchdowns through two games. On Sunday, he’ll run onto the field at Bank of America Stadium in front of family and friends as the Panthers host the Atlanta Falcons at 1 p.m.