NFL stars DeAndre Hopkins and Deshaun Watson have joined the call to remove a former US Vice President's name from Clemson's campus

• Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins are calling for change at their alma mater.
• The former Clemson Tigers quarterback and wide receiver tweeted about a petition to change the name of the honors college at the school, which is named after John C. Calhoun.
• Calhoun — the seventh vice president of the United States — was a firm proponent of slavery and said that the expansion of the practice constituted a "positive good."
• As of this article's writing, more than 12,500 people have signed a Change.com petition to rename the program.

Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins are joining the growing outcry against racism to tackle issues at their alma mater.

The Houston Texans quarterback and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver called on Clemson to change the name of one of its programs in order to firm up the university's commitment to fighting against racism on its campus.

The Calhoun Honors College at Clemson University is named for John C. Calhoun, the seventh vice president of the United States who was a firm proponent of slavery.

According to History.com, Calhoun was well known for defending the institution of slave plantations in America throughout his political career. The South Carolina-based politician is widely credited with characterizing the expansion of slavery as a "positive good" while speaking on the Senate floor.

Watson and Hopkins — both of whom had standout careers for the Tigers — shared a Change.com petition to rename the honors college via Twitter.

"Clemson University still honors the name of slave owner John C. Calhoun on its buildings, signs, and in the name of its honors program," Hopkins tweeted Monday. "I am joining the voices of the students and faculty to restarted this petition to rename the Calhoun Honors College."

Seemingly inspired by Hopkins' message, Watson contributed to the dialog with his own tweet that same evening.

"Clemson University should not honor slave owner John C. Calhoun in any way," he wrote. "His name should be removed from all University property and programming."

"I am joining the students, faculty & DeAndre to restart this petition to rename the Calhoun Honors College," he added.

And in a since-deleted Tweet, Watson replied to Hopkins' tweet that he "never took a picture or touched [Calhoun's] statue when I was on campus," per the Houston Chronicle.

The petition had earned more than 13,000 virtual signatures as of this article's writing, and the exposure from Watson's and Hopkins' platforms certainly didn't hurt.

You can learn more about the movement to reclaim and rename the honors college on the official website.

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