While every tradition means something special for any college football program of note, Clemson's tradition of Gathering at The Paw is one of tremendous fascination. To put it simply, fans are allowed to walk onto the field after the game and interact with each other around the 50-yard line, where The Paw is located. It stems from a tradition put in place by Frank Howard to help build up camaraderie.
In years past, fans and players alike would meet at the 50-yard line and sing the alma mater after each Clemson home game, win or lose. While it did not get its official name of "Gathering at The Paw" until much later in 2003, it is a tradition that is often in cahoots with protecting the players and coaches, or that is what the outside media wants to tell us. They refuse to understand what this tradition is about.
For a college football casual or a non-Clemson fan, they only see Tigers fans rushing the field after every game. The idea of storming the field or court has quickly fallen out of favor in college athletics. Heavy fines are levied to prevent such moments from happening, especially after a big upset win at home. Thankfully, this tradition has been grandfathered in, so Clemson fans can continue to meet up.
As is the case with Clemson's other great traditions, it helps tie one generation together with another.
Let's unpack a few of the adjustments Clemson fans have had to make to keep this old tradition alive.
Clemson Gathers at The Paw to make sure everyone is in this together
In a post-COVID world, gathering at The Paw has had some tweaks to keep it going. Obviously, during the height of COVID, it was extremely frowned upon. While the ACC would fine most other schools for doing this, it is part of Clemson tradition. This is quite similar to Mississippi State being allowed to bring cowbells to home games in Starkville, despite the SEC largely outlawing all other noisemakers.
Another wrinkle that has unfurled with this tradition is fans must now stay in their seats until after the alma mater has been sung, as well as the opposing team and officials have been able to safely exit the field. Crowd control is easier said than done, but this does feel like a fair compromise to help keep this one-of-a-kind tradition going. Again, it is one of the many that makes Clemson football so unique.
So whether it be the players rubbing Howard's Rock or running down The Hill and into Death Valley, Clemson is never short on traditions. However, it is important to make sure these traditions are being kept alive for the right reasons. While rubbing Howard's Rock and running down The Hill are going to be here to stay, it will be interesting to see how Gathering at The Paw continues to evolve over time.
Clemson's most controversial tradition is the one fans of other teams just cannot stop talking about.
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