For nearly a decade, Clemson football players have become the best at blocking out distractions from outside the program.
Head coach Dabo Swinney has always preached love and acceptance. He has always preached to his teams about blocking outside noise in order to keep from being distracted and in doing so, his teams have been to five straight College Football Playoffs and won two national titles.
Those lessons are going to be tested in 2020 more so than ever.
Going back to 2012, Clemson football seniors have voted every year to not post on social media. Sure, players get on social media and look at things their friends, families, and fans are saying, but they have eliminated the need to respond to the nonsensical words and phrases that come their way.
The ability to block out distractions is going to be the most important key to winning a third national championship in the last five seasons for Clemson football.
Over the last two weeks, Coach Swinney has become a target for some of the most insane and nonsensical rhetoric ever spewed on social media toward a football coach. Just look at some of these examples from national talking heads.
okay, i'm done. i think dabo answered for the stuff that came up, though i think he missed the point on some of it.
— bomani (@bomani_jones) June 8, 2020
he's heavily steeped he is in the idea of football as saving lives. that leads him to ascribe a nobility to what should be a coach's job: helping kids.
This isn’t about a person’s heart or intentions. This is about accountability, no excuses, no rationalizing, and showing sensitivity, awareness, empathy and contrition. That was lacking in the 14 minute statement. pic.twitter.com/jX1vBnrmXA
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) June 10, 2020
Dabo Swinney swept a racially charged incident during a practice between a white coach and a black player under the rug. If you are a former CFB player who has a similar story to tell at your program, my DMs are open.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) June 2, 2020
While Coach Swinney has responded to the calls twice in the last 10 days, he should follow the guidance he provides to his players and not respond to anything moving forward.
Over the last decade, Swinney has learned the hard way that no matter what he says, his words will be twisted and used out of context in order to help some media person make their next mortgage payment.
Moving forward, those around Coach Swinney should do the talking for him. Specifically, Clemson University President Dr. Jim Clements, Clemson Athletic Director Dan Radakovich, Assistant Athletic Director Woody McCorvey, and Sports Information Director Ross Taylor. Outside of those voices, Dabo Swinney does not need to say a word about anything other than football.
At this point, there is nothing else that Swinney can say about who he is or what he stands for. If people didn’t like how or what he says then maybe they should listen to former players like Shaq Lawson, Robert Smith, DeAndre Hopkins, or Brandon Ford.
Coach Swinney’s actions have always spoken louder than words, so it is time he just stops talking especially since those who should be listening, aren’t.