CLEMSON, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – The Clemson Tigers announced the death of John Poulos on Wednesday.
According to a release, Poulos died in the morning at a hospital in Gaffney. He was eight months and two days away from his 100th birthday.
Poulos was the first Clemson football player to catch a touchdown pass in a bowl game. He was also believed to be the oldest living former Clemson football player, the release said.
“Poulos lettered as an end on the Clemson teams of 1944, 1947, 1948 and 1949. Â The native of Spartanburg, S.C. played 33 games over his four seasons, including 20 as a starter. He lettered as a true freshman in 1944 and then served the United States military in the South Pacific from 1945-46.
Poulos was a reliable receiver for Frank Howard’s teams, serving as a key reserve in 1947 and a starter in 1948 and 1949. He finished his career with 17 receptions for 384 yards, a 22.6-yard average, and five touchdowns. In 1947, he recorded a team-best six catches for a team-best 169 yards, a team-leading 28.2-yard average. Â
Poulos was the third-leading receiver on Clemson’s 11-0 Gator Bowl Championship team that finished 10th in the nation in the Associated Press Poll in 1948. He started all 11 games that year and finished with seven receptions for 166 yards and four touchdowns.
His most important contribution that season was a nine-yard touchdown reception from Bobby Gage in the Gator Bowl against Missouri, a score that gave Clemson a 21-14 lead in the third on the way to a 24-23 victory. The touchdown reception marked Clemson’s first receiving touchdown in a bowl game in program history.
Poulos started nine of the 10 games during the 1949 season as well.”
Poulos was an architectural engineering major and earned his undergraduate degree in 1905. He worked for the DuPont Corporation for over 35 years, the release said.
Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with FOX Carolina. For more free content like this, download our apps.
Copyright 2026 WHNS. All rights reserved.