Prior to Clemson’s title game against Alabama last month, I stood on the sidelines as Dabo Swinney (still in a suit) exited the team bus and walked onto the field at University of Phoenix Stadium. Swinney looked up into the stands where a sizable contingent of Clemson fans were already in their seats, and a broad smile broke out on his face.
Like me, he was simply enjoying the moment because moments like that aren’t the norm. He grabbed his wife Kathleen and sons Will, Drew and Clay to take a quick photo, and then he came over to shake my hand before heading back into the locker room.