Shane Beamer emotionally opens up on the impact of having Phil Petty's family at recent practice

South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer couldn’t help but show emotion when talking about the family of Phil Petty. A former Gamecocks quarterback, Petty passed away in July at the age of 43, leaving behind his wife and two children.

A father himself, Beamer felt sympathy for Petty’s son, McCoy, and daughter, Sage, for what they were going through. That’s why he invited the family out to practice this week, where the two kids got an opportunity to interact with some of the players.

“I knew Phil obviously when I was here as an assistant and since I’ve came back,” Beamer said in a Saturday press conference as he attempted to fight back tears. “I did not know the family, but what a tragic loss for the Gamecock football community. The day of the funeral, myself and coach (Ray) Tanner and Clyde Wrenn flew over to Myrtle Beach before the funeral and got to spend some time with the family at their house.

“It’s tough being a dad myself. Seeing those two kids, they’re fantastic kids, and losing their dad like that — just to be able bring them some joy yesterday when they came out to practice and seeing McCoy out there running around on the field and Sage spent some time with Jessica Jackson from a recruiting standpoint. McCoy told me when he was leaving, ‘This is probably the greatest day of my life.’ I told our players last night that they were unbelievable. We’ve got some great kids in this program. The amount of time they spent with McCoy at practice yesterday, I know some of you guys were at practice and saw the footage with the receivers. He told me Josh Vann was his favorite player. He was yelling at me because Josh didn’t catch any balls in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. He remembers everything. He remembers Darius Rush had a huge sack on the sack against Florida.”

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A team captain in 2001, Petty helped orchestrate some of the most memorable moments of modern South Carolina football history. He finished his career with 5,652 passing yards, a number that ranks seventh in school history. He also led the Gamecocks to two huge upsets — against Alabama in 2001 and No. 9 Georgia in 2002.

Beamer went on the say that he was touched by how willing several of the Gamecocks players were to open their arms to the family, in particular McCoy. The kindness even extended after practice, when South Carolina hosted the whole family for dinner.

“I think the receivers probably stayed out there on the practice field with (McCoy) for 30 minutes just throwing passes after practice,” Beamer said. “The family came up there and ate dinner with us last night and JuJu McDowell gave them his number. McCoy doesn’t have a cell phone, but he gave him an email address so he and JuJu could keep in touch. Then the players last night were asking me when they’re coming back again. So that was pretty cool. Sorry to get choked up, but as a dad that hits close to home and I feel for them. I want all of the Gamecock community to keep that family in their prayers. It was awesome having them here. Can’t wait to get them back.”

Despite the tragedy of Phil Petty’s death, Shane Beamer showed his family that they will always have a special place in the hearts of South Carolina football. As the team prepares to start its season in just a few weeks, they will look to continue the memory of the Gamecock great with them.