Jarrett, Smith say Winston "disrespectful" to Clemson program with tweets

Winston isn't shy when it comes to making his feelings known

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Tue Sep 16 13:53:45 GMT-05:00 2014

CLEMSON – Grady JarrettGrady Jarrett
Sr. Defensive Tackle
#50 6-1, 290
Conyers, GA
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Last season's match between Florida State and Clemson thrust Winston onto the national stage, and Winston has never been one to shy away from a camera or a sound byte. Winston has even turned into a Twitter sensation, and one tweet from back in March raised the ire of members of Clemson’s defense.

The Seminole baseball team played a three-game series in Clemson, and Winston – an outfielder and pitcher on that team - tweeted a photo of Clemson's Memorial Stadium, captioning it with "our house."

Clemson defensive lineman Grady Jarrett took notice, and called out Winston Tuesday in the WestZone, saying the Florida St. signal caller wants to make it “all about him.”

“It was pretty disrespectful to the Clemson program, even the people that came before us,” Jarrett said. “It’s a guy that wants to make it about him. It’s all about him. We’ll let him have it. It’s a team game. We plan on going in there as a team and putting up a good show. That picture and his TV performances – they are all performance – have no implication on the game.”

Clemson safety Robert SmithRobert Smith
Sr. Safety
#27 5-11, 211
St. George, SC
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“I saw it when it first happened and I’m not a fan of it at all,” Smith said. “You’re not going to say anything but it’s definitely in the back of our minds. I’m never going to forget that. He apologized for it but it’s still in the back of your mind in preparation to go against him. If he feels that way, then let him. We have to go out there and prove a point with the competition that’s going on. I don’t approve of it at all. He said it and he apologized but we’re all going to remember that.”

Jarrett said that it wasn’t only Winston’s tweet that has Clemson feeling disrespected – the point spread and national perception have stung as well. However, he still thinks Clemson can pull off the upset.

"That’s our mindset going into every game. Our plan is to win the game," Jarrett said. "I’m sure nobody outside of Clemson believes that we can win. It’s all about what we believe and that’s what we plan to do.”

Smith said it was an opportunity for Clemson to gain respect.

“You definitely want to get respect. They’re the number one team in the nation,” Smith said. “It’s a great opportunity to play on the big stage and show what we can do. You can’t just demand respect. You’ve got to go out there and earn it. They came in here and beat us last year.”

Jarrett said the Clemson defense has no fear of Winston.

"We can't worry what the outcome is going to be if he makes a nice pass," Jarrett said. "We’ve got to be balls out to try and get him. I have knowledge that he’s a great player but we don’t fear him. I don’t want y’all thinking that. We’re going after him but we know what we’re up against."