Dr. Warren T. Forney

Dr. Warren T. Forney has not only made impacts on gridirons here in Rutherford County and Clemson, but off the field, he has made lasting contributions as a motivational speaker and with humanitarian work in Africa. The Rutherfordton native played on the Defensive Line for the R-S Central Hilltoppers from 1986-1990 and was named to the Shrine Bowl after his Senior season. At Clemson, Forney was a major part of the Tigers’ success from 1991-1995, winning several awards and honors before becoming an entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Forney decided to focus on football during his career with the Hilltoppers and it paid off. He was named Tri-County Player of the Year as a Senior, earned All-Conference honors, and was selected to play in the prestigious Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. By the time Forney graduated from R-S Central, he was ranked as one of the top Defensive Line prospects in North Carolina.

After spending a post-graduate season at Fork Union Military Academy, Forney enrolled at Clemson in 1991. He played in seven games that season for the Tigers, making four tackles and breaking up one pass, helping Clemson win the ACC Regular Season Title. Forney had a breakout season as a Sophomore in 1992. He started all 11 games for Clemson, garnering 83 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Forney’s best game that season came against Virginia where he led the Tigers with a team-high 11 stops.

Forney was injured during his Junior Season playing in just 3 games with 2 tackles. However, due to his commitment and perseverance, Forney was awarded the Texaco Athlete of the Year Award. Now known as the “Rudy Award”, this national recognition is given to any Division I football player that exhibits Character, Courage, Contribution and Commitment. In fact, Rudy Ruettiger was on hand to present Forney with the honor. Forney made a triumphant return for his Senior Season in 1994, garnering 29 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 1 Pass Break Up. As a Redshirt Senior in 1995, he played in all 12 games for Clemson, registering 20 tackles while helping the Tigers reach the Gator Bowl. Forney also finished strong in the classroom, earning All-ACC academic honors for three straight seasons.

As a result of his overall contributions to the Clemson program and community, Forney earned the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. The award is given annually “in recognition of the recipient’s influence for good, excellence in maintaining high ideals of living, and genuine service to others”.

Forney also received the prestigious Brian Piccolo Award after the 1995 season, given to the most courageous football player in the ACC. After spending some time in the San Francisco 49ers’ organization in 1996 and brief coaching stints at Clemson and Georgia Tech, Forney turned his attention to the corporate world. He was part of General Electric’s Africa Initiative, helping to bring sustainable electric power systems to the continent.

After living in Nigeria and Cape Town, Forney returned to the United States and is currently working as a Human Resource Executive for Humana. He also earned a Doctorate degree in Philosophy. Forney spends his free time as a lecturer and motivational speaker for various colleges and Universities across the country. Due to all of these contributions, Forney was honored with the 2015 Brian Dawkins Lifetime Achievement Award from Clemson.

Even with all those awards and honors, Forney says being selected to the RCSHOF is special. “I’m humbled and grateful,” Forney said. “I grew up watching my two older brothers play here, and I just followed in their footsteps. Whether it was at R-S Central, Clemson or all over the world, I think football has given me the opportunity to be an ambassador for Rutherford County because it gave me such a great foundation.”