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Dabo Swinney continues to play the disrespect card, doubles down on Clemson’s doubters
By Keith Farner
Published:
Dabo Swinney is seemingly spending as much time talking about the critics of Clemson as he is promoting his team.
Three days after he had a long monologue about the Tigers being disrespected and not treated as fairly as SEC teams, he doubled down on those comments during a Tuesday press conference to preview the ACC Championship.
Swinney responded about comments made Tuesday morning by SEC Network host and ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum on ESPN’s “Get Up” when he said Swinney needs a pacifier.
“I think Dabo Swinney is the most annoying winner in all of sports,” Finebaum said. “The guy just can’t keep his trap shut. Somebody just give the man a pacifier, send him to timeout and we’ll check in with him on Dec. 28 when he finally plays a legitimate team during this entire college football season.”
Asked about it at the press conference, Swinney responded.
“I hate I missed it. I’m sure it was riveting,” Swinney said, according to Matt Connolly. “Finebaum is great at what he does … He works for the SEC.”
Dabo is coming out swinging this morning, man.
(via @gmraynor) pic.twitter.com/0HxwaGqsZ8
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 3, 2019
Swinney often cites Clemson’s recent record against opponents, notably the SEC, and he did it again this time.
“This team has not been portrayed properly,” he said, according to SportsTalkSC. “We’re 10-1 against the SEC, 6-1 against the West. Oh, but Trevor Lawrence threw an interception. They put that on a loop.”
Swinney seems conflicted about whether to promote the ACC, which is widely viewed as one of the weakest Power 5 conferences, or promote his team, especially against the SEC, and the likes of Georgia, Alabama, Texas A&M and South Carolina.
“I don’t walk around waving a flag like some of these people do. I focus on Clemson,” Swinney said. “I know what reality is, not what people tell me. I know what reality is and this is a really good league.”
Here’s his opening statement from CUTigers.com:
Dabo seconds ago. #Clemson is 70-4 in last 74 games, 27 straight wins. A win in Charlotte Saturday would tie West Virginia for 14th on the all-time win list. Tigers have 16 All-ACC selections, 2x any other. #ALLIN #CUinCharlotte
FULL 🎥 PLUS PLAYERS HERE: https://t.co/VxLmXH5BlF pic.twitter.com/RXJEQTnzk1— CUTigers.com (@CUTigers_com) December 3, 2019
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
