Former Clemson football players chimed in and reacted to Kelly Bryant’s decision to transfer Wednesday morning. Here’s what they had to say.
Clemson football players tend to be very protective of the program they grew up in. They love Coach Dabo Swinney and are very protective of the players that wear that orange and white.
On Wednesday morning, Kelly Bryant- a senior and veteran leader for the Tigers- announced a decision to transfer following being beaten out by freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence through four games in the season.
Dabo Swinney and his coaching staff made the decision to go to Lawrence after four games, giving Bryant a chance to redshirt with the new rule and transfer somewhere else.
With all this being processed and talked about, several former Tigers took to Twitter to express their thoughts on the situation.
Former Clemson Football Players React:
There’s not a bone in my body that thinks the staff handled the situation wrong. Moment you start paying for tickets it becomes a business and you just hope that the players see that side of it. Life isn’t fair and we don’t always get what we want or what we think we deserve.
— Tajh Boyd (@TajhB10) September 26, 2018
I have full faith and know that Coach Swinney and Co. made the decision that they felt was best for the team and KB made the decision that he thought was best for him, simple as that.
— Tajh Boyd (@TajhB10) September 26, 2018
Trevor Lawrence is undoubtedly one of the most gifted passers in all of college football. Kelly wants to play football, if he never steps on the field his collegiate career is done. You want to prolong the opportunity to play for as long as you. Once you’re done you’re done
— Tajh Boyd (@TajhB10) September 26, 2018
Starting with a former Clemson football quarterback and notable Tiger great, Tajh Boyd expressed plenty of thoughts on Twitter following the decision. I tend to agree with most of Boyd’s thoughts. He comes to a simple conclusion: Clemson did what it thought was in its best interest and Bryant did what he thought was in his best interest.
I just wish the fans would be happy with the decisions made on both sides including myself for some of you who think I’m not. Support Kelly as if he wasn’t leaving and stop bashing him. Rather he left or not, yall don’t put good on the table for his family so let him be great.
— Brandon Jerrod Ford (@BruceLeroy80) September 26, 2018
Just because you watch it on tv or in person. Let’s not pretend you know what’s it’s like to be in their shoes. There’s so much more.
— Coach Tyrone Crowder (@TyroneC55) September 26, 2018
:( KB2 forever
— Eric Mac Lain (@EricMacLain) September 26, 2018
I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion BUT let’s not all act like we have been sitting in the meeting room with Dabo and the other coaches. No one sees what goes on Monday through Friday.
— Coach Jay Guillermo (@Jay_Guillermo57) September 26, 2018
I’ll ask this question. If you got fired from your job and you had an opportunity to leave and get another one? Or, would you wait outside the gates hoping they rehire you? Clemson is not being selfish and Kelly not being selfish.
— Robert R. Smith (@rrsmith27) September 26, 2018
The Gang is all back together @zerrickcooper @HunterPh413 @KellyB125 👊🏼 https://t.co/v5F5RgQydJ
— Tucker Israel (@TI8__) September 26, 2018
Most of the players seem to have decent perspectives on the situation. I agree with Robert Smith and Tyrone Crowder that it’s tough for someone who only watches the game to be in someone else’s shoes.
Kelly Bryant has every right to transfer and go somewhere where he believes he can succeed. Some of the players seem a little hostile towards the decision itself, though. Take Tucker Israel, for example. I understand the loyalty factor and everything else that goes into play, but why is there a sense of entitlement as in Kelly Bryant earned the right to a lifetime contract to be the starting quarterback at Clemson? If you view another of his Tweets, you’ll see what I’m talking about.
In the end, I think most former Clemson football players have a grasp and understanding on the situation and will continue to both support Kelly Bryant and the Tigers going forward, as we all should.