Tough reality hits hard on the South Carolina football community and the entire college football periphery on a dark Friday night. The beloved ‘Gamecock Larry’ navigated to the other world at the age of 93. Football will never be the same without its biggest cheerleader’s enthusiastic ‘Go Gamecocks‘ cry.

Lawrence Griffin, as he was known off the air, used to be a notable man in the South Carolina sports community. His quintessential game calling, infectious energy, and signature sign-off made him one of the best WNKT-FM 107.5 FM over the years. The Swansea native reached a landmark in his prolonged professional life, not only through his exceptional work but also through his overwhelming love for Gamecocks and for the game. Elijah Campbell, co-host of 107.5 FM’s Post-Game show, remembered how Larry used to keep up his faith in the team even when everything went against the chart. He was a believer, a true sports freak, and a guy with a superhuman dedication to his work. South Carolina coach Shane Beamer mourned the loss on his X handle, and so did the nation.

Larry has been an unfiltered mastermind throughout. A unique blend of predictions, reflections, unpopular instincts, and, of course, immense pride in the team often helped the momentum flow when the chips got down. Listeners become the unearned addict of his sensational content in tune with the real emotions of joy, love, laughter, and despair from time to time. The cherry on the cake was his high punctuality and discipline. He used to kick-start his day with the USC sports talk radio for decades and not with a steaming hot cup of tea. His sharp call time made him the quintessential 6 am guy for the Gamecocks.

As the legendary voice succumbed to the weight of his age, we send loads of condolence and strength to his loved one to sail through the tough time! RIP, old friend.

Gamecock Larry has been fighting with deteriorated health since 2021

Larry was a strong, sturdy, enthusiastic man, even in his nineties. But his health wasn’t matching up his young spirit in recent years. The legendary broadcasting figure has been fighting with several maladies. He was under treatment at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Columbia back in 2021. The family asked fans to keep him in their prayers. Fortunately, by the grace of the collective pulling, the man recovered. But his health has been on the decline ever since.

In 2023, once again, Larry was hospitalized with acute pneumonia. He beat the odds again and tried hard to get back to his normal life. The fun family outing and grand birthday celebration continued to be on his last year on the earth agenda. The physical odds could never dim the light that shines within.

Finally, in December 2024, the old man gave up in his relentless fight with his senility, and death triumphed over life.

It’s the end of an era for South Carolina football!