Who is Connor Shaw’s Wife, Molly Smith? Family Life of Former Gamecocks QB After Medical Emergency

On September 17, 2025, former NFL and South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Connor Shaw collapsed while coaching his nine-year-old son’s football team at Gracely Park in Simpsonville, South Carolina.

He was rushed by ambulance to Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital, where he is currently in the ICU but reported to be in stable condition, according to MSN. The cause of his collapse has not yet been revealed.

The city of Simpsonville released a statement wishing him a “speedy recovery,” while friends, fans, and former teammates flooded social media with prayers.

Who is Molly Smith?

Connor Shaw is married to Molly Smith, who has been by his side since his college days. The couple tied the knot in July 2014 during a beautiful Caribbean wedding.

Molly Smith is described by Shaw as a talented tennis player and a yoga enthusiast. While it is not confirmed if she played tennis professionally, Shaw once said in a 2015 interview that she was “a really good tennis player” and also called her his “good luck charm.”

Shaw joked that every time Molly attended a South Carolina game, the team won.

How They Met and Married

Connor and Molly first met in high school and briefly dated. Their relationship became serious when both enrolled at the University of South Carolina.

In March 2013, Shaw proposed to Molly during a romantic trip to Georgetown Waterford Park in Washington, D.C.. A year later, they got married in the Caribbean.

Just before their wedding, Shaw posted a photo with his then-pregnant fiancée, writing: “One week from today, this will be Mr. & Mrs. Shaw.”

Connor Shaw and Molly Smith’s Children

The couple has three children together.

• Their first child, daughter Mila, was born in 2014.

• Their second child, son Decker Drew, arrived in 2016. He was the same son Shaw was coaching during Wednesday’s game when he collapsed.

• They also have a third child, though details about the youngest remain private.

The Shaws are also close friends with former professional cyclist George Hincapie and his family.

Connor Shaw’s Career and Family Balance

Shaw, born on September 19, 1991, in Georgia, is remembered as one of the most successful quarterbacks in South Carolina Gamecocks history, recording over 6,000 passing yards and 56 touchdowns from 2011 to 2013.

He later played for the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears, before moving into coaching and development roles at South Carolina.

Shaw has always emphasized family in his career. In his own words:

“I focus better when they’re with me. I don’t want to miss out on anything with my kids growing up, and I don’t want to be away from my wife.”

Molly Smith has been an important part of Connor Shaw’s life, supporting him through his football career and beyond. With three children and over a decade of marriage, the Shaws remain a strong family unit. As Shaw continues to recover in the hospital, support from fans and loved ones is pouring in for Molly and the entire Shaw family.