Clarke Bynum

Henry Clarke Bynum Jr. (November 13, 1961 – September 3, 2007) was an American basketball player for the Clemson Tigers who helped to stop a plane hijacking in 2000.[1]

A McDonald's All-American[2] at Wilson Hall in Sumter, South Carolina, Bynum played for the Clemson Tigers at Clemson University from 1980 to 1984. He was 6 foot 7 inches tall.[1] He averaged five points and two rebounds during his four seasons with the Tigers.[1] Bynum was an All-Academic in the Atlantic Coast Conference during his senior year.[1] Bynum took a job with his family's insurance business following his graduation from Clemson. He later served as chairman of his high school alma mater, Wilson Hall. He remains Wilson Hall's school's all-time basketball scoring leader.[1]

Bynum is best known for subduing a passenger who broke into the cockpit of British Airways Flight 2069 with 398 passengers in December 2000.[1] The passenger had attacked the plane's pilot and grabbed the controls, sending the plane into two nose-dives. Bynum and several other passengers managed to break into the cockpit and restrained the man until the plane could land.[1]

Bynum received the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina's highest honor, for his bravery in subduing the man with the help of other passengers. He was also awarded a presidential commendation by Clemson University in 2001.[1]

Clarke Bynum died on September 3, 2007, in Sumter, South Carolina, at the age of 45, from cancer.[1]