HEADLINE

Former Clemson RB Dye dies in drowning accident

Field Level Media

July 06, 2019 at 3:37 pm.

Clemson announced the death of former running back Tyshon Dye in a drowning accident in Georgia on Friday.

He was 25.

The school announced his passing on social media Friday evening: “Our hearts break tonight to confirm the passing of Tyshon Dye.”

The Greenville (S.C.) News reported that Dye was with his family at a picnic at Richard B. Russell State Park and was swimming with his two brothers when he began to tire in the water and couldn’t make it back to shore, according to Elbert County coroner Chuck Almond.

According to the report, Almond said his brothers saw him go under the water but were unable to help him and the family called 911 at about 4:50 p.m. on Friday.

Dye’s body was recovered later that afternoon and his death was ruled an accidental drowning, Almond said.

“All of our hearts are just broken,” said Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney in a statement. “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 national championship team. In six games that season, he recorded 109 yards on 21 carries and scored a rushing touchdown in Clemson’s road win against Boston College.

Dye graduated from Clemson in 2017 with a degree in parks, recreation and tourism management. He appeared in 16 games for Clemson across the 2014-16 seasons after redshirting his freshman year. He recorded 76 career carries for 351 yards with five rushing touchdowns and two career receptions for 11 yards.

After earning his degree, he transferred to East Carolina in 2017 for his final year of eligibility. He recorded 217 rushing yards on 50 carries and six receptions for 56 yards for the Pirates.