Why Clemson’s Dabo Swinney has a black eye and stitches
Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney made news Saturday during the Tigers’ men’s basketball game against North Carolina.
The ESPN2 television cameras showed Swinney with a black eye and stitches sitting and watching No. 16 Clemson’s home game against the No. 8 UNC at Littlejohn Coliseum.
A team spokesperson confirmed to The State on Saturday that Swinney suffered the injury to his left eye during a recent pickup basketball game. The news was first reported by TigerNet’s David Hood.
According to Hood’s report, “A late night pickup basketball game led to a late night ER visit after (Swinney) took one to the face. His side won, however.”
Swinney is well-known for his love of basketball and playing pick-up games throughout his coaching career with the Tigers..
Shortly after Swinney was shown, social media began their theories and jokes regarding what might have happened.
“Tyler from Spartanburg must’ve found Dabo,” Barstool Sports wrote.
That was in reference to when Swinney laid into a caller Tyler from Spartanburg who questioned him and his program during a call in November on his weekly call-in show.
The Clemson football team finished the 2023 season 9-4 and on a five-game winning streak after a 4-4 start. The Tigers beat Kentucky in the Gator Bowl last Friday and have their first team meeting for the 2024 season next week.
The State’s Chapel Fowler contributed reporting to this story.
This story was originally published January 6, 2024 at 12:52 PM.
