Clemson football players plan peaceful protest. Here’s what we know
The Clemson University football team is coming together to try to bring about change.
A protest against systemic racism has been scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m. at Bowman Field on Clemson’s campus, a person with knowledge of the plans told The State on Wednesday. The Greenville News was the first to report the location and time of the protest Wednesday morning.
The leaders of the protest are quarterback Trevor Lawrence, running back Darien Rencher, receiver Cornell Powell and linebacker Mike Jones Jr., The State was told. Head coach Dabo Swinney is also expected to attend the event.
Clemson student-athletes are expected to announce full details Thursday for the protest.
Clemson City Administrator Andy Blondeau expects a crowd of at least 2,000 people on hand for the event, according to the Greenville News.
The protest will take place after a busy week for the Clemson football team. The Tigers returned to campus to begin voluntary workouts on Monday and players were tested for the coronavirus this week as well.
Clemson’s team met Tuesday night “to speak — and to listen — about racial injustice and unify for lasting change,” according to the school’s Twitter page.
The Tuesday team meeting came a day after Swinney released a video on Monday, saying in part that he backs: “positive change against racism and police brutality.”
Swinney also addressed several topics he was criticized for during the video, including his handling of a coach using the n-word during a practice with a player and Swinney wearing a “Football Matters” shirt while at a pool.
Swinney said he was disappointed with the accusations and the implication that he was wearing a “Football Matters” shirt to mock the “Black Lives Matter” movement, as some suggested. He added that the notion was “an attack on my character.”
“Actions are much louder than any words that I can say. And I will tell you I’ve always loved me players,” Swinney said. “I’m tough on them. But I love them deeply. And this past week it has hurt. It has been hurtful to see the pain in my players.”
This story was originally published June 10, 2020 at 1:00 PM.
