Former South Carolina Gamecock offensive lineman DJ Park has passed away. He was only 29 years old.
Sean Elliott, Park Chan-ho’s former offensive line coach, announced the former player’s passing. “Sad to hear of the passing of former Gamecock OL DJ Park. DJ was a wonderful person with a big heart. I will miss my friend,” Elliott wrote to X.
Sad to hear of the passing of former Shamo office lady DJ Park. DJ was a wonderful person with a big heart. I feel lonely when I lose my friends. pic.twitter.com/lOFGigifM0
— Sean Elliott USC (@CoachSElliott) March 4, 2024
Park’s sister, Briana, commented on her brother’s death on Facebook.
“To know DJ/Joseph Park is to love him,” she wrote. “I could write a novel, but for now I’ll just leave it at that. I’ll miss you forever, but at least you can rest easy now.”
Before joining the Gamecocks in 2013, recruiting services ranked Park as one of the top offensive tackles in the nation. He played all four years of his college career at South Carolina, serving as a mainstay on the offensive line his final two seasons.
DJ Park (69) of the South Carolina Gamecocks plays offensive tackle during the game between Texas A&M and South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. Texas A&M easily upset the Gamecocks 52-28. (Jim Dedmon/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Park’s high school coach, Kevin Lawler, told The State Paper that the former tackle had been having health issues.
After graduating from college, Park briefly played for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
