Swinney sends plea to Clemson fans about ACC title game |
CLEMSON - Clemson head coach
Dabo Swinney met with the media following Wednesday's practice, and he said he hoped Clemson fans don't take winning for granted and will show up in Orlando to support the third-ranked Tigers when they take on Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship Saturday night.
"I was just saying that I hope we have a great crowd," Swinney said. "I hope we don't get complacent and say, 'Oh well, we'll go win that game and let's think about the next one.' This is the biggest game of the year and I hope people will appreciate what this team has done because it is so hard. It's one thing to have an expectation. It's another thing to have an appreciation. I think our fans that's one of the things that sets Clemson apart is there's always been that appreciation - a genuine appreciation for each other, for the role that everybody plays." The game, originally scheduled to be played in Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium, was moved to Orlando in October in response to the state's controversial House Bill 2. The law prevents cities and counties from passing protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. And public schools must require bathrooms or locker rooms be designated for use only by people based on their biological sex. The ACC followed the lead of the NCAA, which said it would relocate its championships for 2016-17. "I know it's a game that's been moved and all of that and there's probably some frustration with that stuff, but at the end of the day, we're playing for a championship," Swinney said. "I don't want anyone to ever get complacent with that like there's bigger fish to fry. No there's not. We don't worry about anything. The biggest game is this game and winning this conference. In the end, whatever comes after that, we'll deal with, but we're putting our best foot forward. That was really all I was saying. Hopefully, we have a great turnout and everybody is excited to be there because I know I am. I guarantee that Virginia Tech is going to be excited to be there. I want our fans to be the same way. I'm sure we'll have a great crowd. We always do. Obviously, it's not in Charlotte and that was the main message there."
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