Clemson Football: No, Kelly Bryant didn’t deserve a ring

Former Clemson football QB Kelly Bryant has become a topic of discussion over the past day due to some comments made by Dabo Swinney.

Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney spoke with ESPN’s Chris Lowe Wednesday and answered a couple of questions pertaining to Kelly Bryant.

Swinney was asked if Bryant would be receiving a National Championship ring for Clemson football’s impressive season and his answer was simple: You have to be on the team to get a ring.

Since those comments, Swinney has been the subject of backlash from a small contingent of the Clemson football fan base as well as opposing fan bases and media members just looking for something to wave their finger at.

In the end, Dabo Swinney made the right decision and it’s not really all that difficult to see why.

Kelly Bryant chose to leave the Clemson football team freely. For the most part, Tiger fans supported Bryant when he decided to transfer and will continue to root for him as he finishes up his career with the Missouri Tigers.

It’s not Bryant’s fault that he was surpassed on the depth chart by a more talented quarterback and no one faults him for making the decision to give himself the best chance at reaching the next level. Kelly Bryant only had one year of eligibility remaining, so he made what he believed to be the best decision.

All that being said, he still decided to leave the program.

"“Hopefully we’ll be able to visit and sit down and have a good conversation, but he’s focused on what he’s trying to do and we wish him the best,” Swinney told ESPN. “He’s a graduate of Clemson and always will be and was a heck of a player for us, but my job is to do what’s best for the team.”"

Bryant was given several options before ultimately deciding to leave Clemson football. The coaches still would’ve looked for places in games to insert him and allow him to play sparingly. Dabo Swinney also said later that Bryant was given the option to remain with the team, not play in another game and maintain his redshirt status. Then, he could’ve transferred after the season and still remained with the team throughout the 2018 season.

Had Bryant chosen to stay with the team- even if he didn’t play in another game- he would’ve received a ring without question and still been able to transfer to Missouri following the season and enroll in classes in time for spring camp.

This is setting precedent. In this era of Transfer Portal madness, players shouldn’t expect rings if they choose to leave the team midseason. And, by the way, Bryant didn’t expect a ring because he is a noble guy that understands the program.

This is a QB that did a lot for the Clemson football program and Dabo Swinney explained his appreciation for Bryant during his time with the Tigers and wished him nothing but the best moving forward.

No, Dabo Swinney isn’t a hypocrite. No, Dabo Swinney didn’t make the wrong decision. No, Kelly Bryant shouldn’t receive a National Championship ring.