Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney Breaks Silence and Addresses Allegations of Racist Comments in Locker Room

Dabo Swinney has been under fire for his response to recent events pertaining to both his team and the nation. After many critiqued Swinney's silence following George Floyd's death, allegations emerged of supposed racist comments within the Clemson locker room.

Now, Swinney has responded to those allegations and other issues facing him at the moment with a nearly fourteen minute video to the Clemson Football Family.

Swinney discussed the allegations against coach Danny Pearman, detailing his account of the altercation. Specifically, Swinney confirmed, " I would fire a coach immediately if he called a player an n-word, no questions asked. That did not happen."

Instead, what did happen was a private interaction between coach Pearman and tight end DJ Greene. Greene approached coach Swinney and the issue was resolved, with Swinney saying, "There wasn’t anything swept under the rug, no dirty secret."

The recent allegations were not the only issue facing Swinney though, as his recent "Football Matters" shirt sparked further controversy.

Swinney said the shirt had no relation to the "Black Lives Matter" movement, instead saying, "I wholeheartedly support ‘Black Lives Matter.’ In fact, I don’t think that’s adequate enough. I think black lives matter, significantly and equally."

In addition, Swinney addressed the rumors that he prevented his players from protesting at Sikes Hall on Clemson's campus. Swinney stated that was not the case.

Despite Swinney's statements, many do not find it sufficient to overcome his actions. In addition to the recent injury reports for Justyn Ross, Swinney has a difficult road ahead both in the summer and the upcoming college football season.