Clemson Football: Were Kelly Bryant’s transfer comments fair?

Kelly Bryant announced a decision to transfer out of the Clemson football program Wednesday morning. Were his comments fair toward the Tigers?

Clemson football quarterback Kelly Bryant announced his decision to transfer out of the Clemson football program Wednesday morning following being beaten out by freshman Trevor Lawrence.

Bryant joined Main Robinson with The Greenville News to exclusively discuss his decision and what he felt about the entire situation.

Here’s what Bryant had to say:

"“I feel like it’s wahat’s best for me and my future,” Bryant said via The Greenville News. “I was just going to control what I could and try to make the most of my opportunity, but at the end of the day, I just don’t feel like I’ve gotten a fair shot.”"

Bryant was adamant that he felt as if this was the best decision for him. Unfortunately, though, I don’t believe he is accurate when he says he wasn’t “given a fair shot.” Bryant started every single game last season. Everyone seems to forget just how many times Dabo Swinney went to bat for him.

When Swinney was constantly berated with questions about quarterbacks, he constantly lifted Kelly Bryant up and continued to stay in his corner, even after having to make the decision to switch quarterbacks.

To say you weren’t given a fair shot is really not justifiable or fair to the program that has stood by you all these years.

I do understand, though, that we should give the guy a little bit of slack. He’s young and he’s emotional right now. I can completely understand how he’s feeling and he’s still learning. He’s not turning his back on the team or trying just to abandon everyone. His job was taken in front of millions of people. His pride is hurt and if you can’t give a little bit of grace considering all of that, you were never really in his corner to begin with.

Here’s what Bryant said when recounting the discussions he had with the coaching staff earlier this week:

"“They asked me how I felt about it. I was like, ‘I’m not discrediting Trevor. He’s doing everything asked of him, but on my side of it, I feel like I haven’t done anything to not be the starter. I’ve been here. I’ve waited my turn. I’ve done everything y’all have asked me to do, plus more. I’ve never been a distraction. I’ve never been in trouble with anything. To me, it was kind of a slap in the face.”"

Bryant said that he’s not discrediting Trevor and you can see that he has a respect for the young freshman, but he just wants to do what’s right for him. You can really see how he feels through this quote. He was patient and it’s clear that he’s frustrated things didn’t work out.

In the end, were his comments fair? Absolutely not.

His comments were based on emotion and the heat of the moment. But, as a human being, I can understand why he would have those feelings and I choose to give him a little bit of grace to be able to vent, even if I don’t agree with the avenue he chose to vent.

In the end, we should all be thankful for what Kelly Bryant has done in the Clemson football program and wish him the best going forward. This is all emotional response right now- from both sides of the fence- and it needs to stop. Everyone, just take a breath, and both sides are going to be alright.