Prior to third-ranked Clemson’s game against Pittsburgh last Saturday, freshman wide receiver E.J. Williams approached head coach Dabo Swinney about possibly changing his jersey number for Military Appreciation Day at Death Valley.
Williams wanted to wear the No. 39 instead of his usual No. 6 as a tribute to his late father, Sgt. 1st Class Eddie Williams, Sr., who died at 39 years of age in 2010 after serving 18 years in the U.S. Army.
Swinney loved the idea and gave Williams permission to switch uniform numbers, and on Saturday, Williams shined while honoring his father in the No.