Dabo Swinney tried to hold back the tears as ESPN’s Samantha Ponder interviewed him following Monday night’s national championship victory over Alabama at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
With his mom, Carol, and wife, Kathleen, hugging him the whole time, Swinney thought about all of those who came before this team, those who were here with him when his dream of bringing Clemson back to national prominence first began.
“It has been an unbelievable eight years. This is for all of our teams because they are all a part of this,” Swinney said. “They all get a piece of this trophy … Eight years ago, my goal was to put Clemson back on top, and tonight that is a reality.