Across nearly all sports, support for social justice and the victims of police brutality have been displayed on the helmets, jerseys, and shirts of athletes since the return of sports from the coronavirus pandemic. While there has been quite a lot of support for the athletes displaying those messages, there are still those who are uncomfortable with the display of those messages on uniforms during competition.
Count Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney amongst that group.
"Black lives more than matter," said Swinney, before adding that he considered himself a traditionalist and wasn't in love with the idea of name plates and patches on helmets and jerseys displaying those messages. Programs around the country have allowed those messages to be displayed by athletes since sports began competition in recent months.
"It's not that I'm not for the messages," Swinney told ESPN, "but I'm a very traditional guy. I came from Alabama. It's not anything to do with the messages, I've always just not messed with uniforms. But that's all changed this year."
Swinney went on to reiterate that he has always and continues to encourage his players to show support for causes they believe in, including social justice reform, and that despite his hesitation to display those messages on uniforms, has instituted one rule for his players: they must all agree to the changes before enacting them. Swinney said that he has been "sending them back to the drawing board" several times when there wasn't team consensus on the changes.
During the social justice protests around the country in recent months, Clemson players including Trevor Lawrence, running back Darien Rencher, wide receiver Cornell Powell, linebacker Mike Jones Jr., and other players have become figureheads representing players from around the country.
At one protest, organized and executed by the players months ago, Dabo was seen marching with his players and giving a speech asking Clemson fans to respect and value what his players were saying to them.
