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Throwback Thursday: Lee Nanney

By John Chancey

Clemson football, National Champions in 1981, 2016, and 2018, have new signs on Memorial Stadium to remember them. New digital signs are being placed on the sides of the stadium, one replaces the large plastic tiger paw on the West side of the stadium.New Signs At Clemson Memorial Stadium
Clemson football, National Champions in 1981, 2016, and 2018, have new signs on Memorial Stadium to remember them. New digital signs are being placed on the sides of the stadium, one replaces the large plastic tiger paw on the West side of the stadium.New Signs At Clemson Memorial Stadium /
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In this edition of Throwback Thursday John Chancey looks at a Clemson football legend….or is he?

Lee Nanney – 1978-81

  • RTR 200 Ranking: 192
  • Second-Team All-American by UPI in 1981
  • Honorable Mention All-American by AP in 1981

Nanney’s Clemson story is an unusual one. Officially, he never played for the Tigers.

Nanney played high school football at Dorman High School in Spartanburg, SC. He was recruited to Clemson to play for offensive line coach Danny Ford in 1978. At the end of his freshman season, head coach Charley Pell departed to take over the Florida Gators program, and Ford was elevated to head coach.

It didn’t take long for Nanney to become a contributor. He was named a starter as a sophomore. He was applauded as Clemson’s Most Improved Player in 1980. He was a co-captain for the Tigers for three seasons and a starter on the 1981 National Championship team. As a senior that season he was an named a 2nd team All-American. He was also an All-ACC player during his career. Clemson officials noted Nanney could bench press 525 pounds and assured journalists that he was the strongest man on the team.

Surprisingly, Nanney was not selected in the NFL Draft. He graduated from Clemson with a degree in textile technology in 1983. He joined his teammates at the 1986 spring game to celebrate the five-year anniversary of the ’81 title.

In later years Nanney requested that all mention of him be removed from Clemson football media guides

In 1990, Nanney requested that his name be removed from the Clemson media guide. He made the request of Tim Bourret, who was the sports information director at the time. Bourret was under the impression Nanney simply wanted to be removed from the all-time lettermen section, so he remained in the starting line-up for the 1981 championship team and on the list of All-ACC players.

Nanney contacted Bourret again and specified that he wanted his name removed from the media guide entirely. In the 1991 media guide, it says Clemson only started 10 players on offense in the 1981 season, and Nanney’s name was not included anywhere.

Nanney has never officially stated why he wanted his name removed from the media guide. His teammate Perry Tuttle said that Nanney was upset with Ford, believing his head coach didn’t do enough to help Nanney make the NFL. When Clemson compensated Ford with a large settlement following his departure as head coach, Nanney finally decided to sever ties with the university as best he could.

He may not be an official Tiger great on paper, but we know he was on the football field during one of the most momentous periods in Clemson football history. You can see Nanney (#77) starting at right tackle in this video of the Orange Bowl against Nebraska.

Next. PFF ranks Bresee as 2nd best interior defensive lineman. dark

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