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Clemson football: The “gotcha” questions for Coach Swinney are garbage

By Jeff Benedict

CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - JUNE 13: Clemson football head coach Dabo Swinney addresses the crowd during the "March for Change" protest at Bowman Field on June 13, 2020 in Clemson, South Carolina. The protests were in response to the death of George Floyd, an African American, while in the custody of the Minneapolis police. Protests calling for an end to police brutality have spread across cities in the U.S., and in other parts of the world. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - JUNE 13: Clemson football head coach Dabo Swinney addresses the crowd during the "March for Change" protest at Bowman Field on June 13, 2020 in Clemson, South Carolina. The protests were in response to the death of George Floyd, an African American, while in the custody of the Minneapolis police. Protests calling for an end to police brutality have spread across cities in the U.S., and in other parts of the world. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Clemson football head coach Dabo Swinney made the news rounds Tuesday.

Once again, national media that covers Clemson football tried to get a controversial soundbite from coach Dabo Swinney on Tuesday, and thankfully this time he did not bite.

As we know back in June, Coach Swinney provided lots of soundbites that made him look really bad to many across the country, including fans, alumni, and parents of current commitments. Many questioned his integrity and sincereness as a person in the process.

With the season starting, all of that had died down and people were able to focus on football – until Tuesday.

During his press conference, Coach Swinney was asked more political questions from reporters at both The Athletic and ESPN, both attempting to start more drama where there is none.

These questions seem to only target the Clemson football coach.

There isn’t a coach in the country that has done more supporting his players during this social justice fight than Coach Swinney and everyone knows it. Not only has he provided them all the tools to make sure that their voices are heard but he has openly supported them through it all.

Apparently, that still isn’t good enough for sports platforms that want to push a political narrative. The problem is, they aren’t asking this of other high profile coaches. After checking around, Dabo Swinney was the only coach asked about these changes.

These same questions were not asked of Nick Saban, Ryan Day, Lincoln Riley, Jim Harbaugh, Jimbo Fisher, or Kirby Smart. All of these coaches are among the highest paid in the country and yet all of them were asked about football.

This “gotcha” line of questioning to Coach Swinney has to stop or Clemson athletic director Dan Radakovich has to take the stand of pulling credentials. Alleged journalists with a clear agenda should no longer be provided access to Coach Swinney if they are no longer going to provide the same respect that they do others across the country.

The difference between a program & a one-year wonder. dark. Next

This isn’t the 90s or 00s when Clemson football was grasping for media to cover the Tigers. There is plenty of fair coverage that granting credentials to places like ESPN and The Athletic isn’t necessary any longer if they aren’t going to provide the same type of coverage they do for the other heavy hitters in college athletics.

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