Dabo accepts this: ‘It doesn’t matter what I say. ... There’s going to be criticism.’
When Clemson coach Dabo Swinney takes a stance on a topic nowadays, it always seems to attract plenty of attention.
That notion was once again on display last week as Swinney came out and emphatically proclaimed that he believes the college football season will take place as scheduled in 2020.
Swinney pointed to his faith and the United States being “the greatest country” as the reasons for his optimism. While some appreciated his positive stance, others had a problem with it.
Swinney was criticized by some, not only for his comments on the 2020 season, but also after he revealed he took a trip to Florida on a private plane within the past month and that he may go again for Easter this weekend.
ESPN personality Bomani Jones was one of several media members to take issue with what Swinney said.
“What’s so dangerous about what he’s saying is, he’s acting like we can just wish this thing away and that’s not what it is,” Jones said on ESPN’s “Highly Questionable” show. “Stop being stupid, Dabo. Cause right now you’re being stupid.”
Swinney was asked about the backlash he received for his comments during an interview with Mark Packer on ESPNU Radio on SiriusXM Monday afternoon. He said he wasn’t surprised by the reaction.
“That’s the one thing I’ve learned and really have just accepted. It doesn’t matter what I say or what anyone says. There’s going to be criticism,” Swinney told Packer. “I could say, ‘The sky is blue,’ and somebody’s going to be mad as anything. So that’s one thing I’ve learned over the years and I just don’t really get affected by that. I just speak my heart.”
Swinney added that he just wanted to give his honest opinion to reporters when he was asked for his thoughts on the possibility of playing the 2020 season, whether everyone liked it or not.
“I just answered a question the other day. ... You answer questions and you try to be honest and transparent, and you answer questions and then you get blasted because somebody may not agree with your answer,” Swinney said. “But I’m not out blasting somebody else because they have a different opinion than me. It just comes with the territory, so that is just the way it is.”
A few days have passed since Swinney’s initial comments on the 2020 season, and his stance has not changed. He doubled down on his belief that football will be played as scheduled this fall when speaking with Packer and explained why.
“I just believe in our country. I believe in this world. I believe in the unbelievably smart people that we have out there. But more importantly I believe in God,” Swinney said. “And He’s so much bigger than this. There’s so many fearful things, but God can stamp this thing out just as quick as it rose up. And I don’t have any doubt that that’s what’s going to happen. That’s my belief. Now if someone wants to blast me because I believe things are going to turn around, well that’s fine. They can blast me for that. That’s OK if that’s what they wanna do. I just try to live my life with positivity.”
Swinney understands that some may not be religious or share the same beliefs that he does, and he said that he respects that.
But he plans to continue to live his life with positivity and faith.
“If you’re not a person of faith, it’s hard to relate to that and so I understand that,” Swinney said. “But I’m very hopeful. And I think that’s what God gives you. He gives you hope. ... I have hope in the future and that gives me power in the present to deal with what we’re dealing with. And more importantly I believe in prayer.
“I believe we are going to kick this thing in the teeth, and nothing’s going to change that belief from me.”
