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I can remember I was really young, maybe three and Clemson was playing N.C. State on TV in football. My mother was actually accepted to N.C. State, so I could have chosen to root for the Wolfpack.
But that day, Clemson's crowd was nuts as a sea of Orange awaited their entrance. Clemson's entire football team rubbed a rock and ran down the hill. I thought that was awesome.
Clemson played at home not too long after that and they did the same thing. I soon realized it was tradition. Shortly thereafter, I was diagnosed with a heart condition and was rushed to Chapel Hill. Thanks to the care I received in Chapel Hill, I could have been all Tarheel, but I have stayed true to the Tigers even through that. To this day, I am still thankful to the Lord and those who took care of me at that time.
Nonetheless, there have been a number of heartaches being a Tiger though. Head scratching games Clemson lost, never beating UNC in Chapel Hill, having Oliver Purnell leave the basketball team. Clemson nearly reached the baseball finals in Omaha only to have it ripped away by South Carolina. The list goes on and on. Don't get me wrong, there have a been a lot of good days as well.
Still, I always hoped to see Clemson win a title in the big three...basketball, baseball or football. Many Clemson fans around these parts have hoped for the same thing. Then came Dabo Swinney.
Thanks to Chase Football Coach Daniel Bailey, I got to meet Dabo Swinney a few years ago. Swinney seemed like he had never met a stranger in his life. His belief and excitement for Clemson made me understand that he really saw things in a bigger picture. It took seven years for Swinney to get Clemson to the national title game. Thanks to his recruiting, hard work, belief and family type atmosphere he has created at Clemson.
Clemson is now on the verge of it second national title in football. The first one, I wasn't around then when it took place. This season is a special team. Finally, there are some believers in this football team.
The good news is that Clemson is 1-0 in championship games. The opponent...Alabama has won over ten titles. The last time Clemson won the title, Rutherford County's own, Rod and Chuck McSwain (Chase High School) were on the team. Now Chase grad Carlos Watkins looks to repeat history as a member of this Tiger team.
The last time Clemson won it all, Danny Ford, who was a grad assistant at Alabama was coaching them. Swinney played and was later apart of the coaching staff at Alabama.
This year, Clemson is solid everywhere, but despite being ranked #1, Alabama is still the team to beat. Many experts have picked against Clemson all year long, pushed a stupid a word like Clemsoning on Swinney and the Tigers. It's okay, Clemson continues to be the underdog and they continue to prove people wrong.
Clemson will have to be more physical and challenge Alabama down field. Rushing is a big deal for both teams, but I don't think we see a lot of rushing yards. Both team defenses are strong at shutting down the run game. Clemson has been in and won big games during Swinney's tenure. They should treat it no differently. No matter what Clemson has awoken the country this year and it's a exciting time to be a Tiger.
NFL Wildcard games:
Pittsburgh at Cincy: Cincy can't win a playoff game. Give me the Steelers 24-13
Kansas City at Houston: Chiefs have been on a roll. Texans are formidable. KC 27-17.
Seattle at Minnesota: Minnesota will have to play time management. Seattle is hot. Seahawks 28-17.
Green Bay at Washington: I don't trust either team, but Green Bay less. Shocker! Redskins 28-24
