Thursday October 16, 2008

ALL IN!

ALL IN!
Monday at Dabo’s press conference he hit a grand slam and I have gone back and listened to it a few times and get more excited every time I listen to it. Perhaps the best part was when Dabo said, "As I told these freshmen today, I hope we can win them all out and we have a chance to stay here and coach these guys. If we don't, this is an awesome place. Clemson, these freshmen, they chose Clemson for the right reasons. That's what I told them today. This is their program. Whatever happens here with this head coaching situation, these kids they need to stay the course. It's the same thing I'll say to anybody we're recruiting."

"Clemson is going to do it right. I don't have any doubts about that. I can tell you right now, I have zero regrets about coming here. I may be here seven more weeks, and they may be packing me up and moving me out of here, too. But I have zero regrets."

"This is a truly special place, a special place to live, a special place to work and raise your family, a unique college environment. Any recruit out there that doesn't give Clemson a sincere look, they're missing out on a great opportunity. This is a football program that is in good shape, coach Bowden has done an awesome job of leaving this program way better than he found it, and whether it's me or someone else, it'll be a great opportunity for somebody. It'll all work itself out. The biggest thing we need to do is win football games."

Dabo just keeps impressing everyone he comes in contact with. I keep getting phone calls, e-mails and text messages from people with their stories about their past interaction with Dabo. All of them are further evidence that Clemson has a special man at the wheel now.

Dabo has set the bar high and now it is our time to do our part. We have our marching orders and now it is time for us to carry out our part of the game plan.

Here is a checklist of what we have to do:
1. Wear Orange
2. Take Part in the Tiger Walk
3. Welcome Dabo and the Team when they reach the top of the Hill
4. Make Saturday one of the loudest in stadium history
5. All In!

Wear Orange
Dabo has asked for an Orange Out and that is the first thing we need to do. It is the first sign of solidarity. We will all look the same. One Clemson.

Take Part in the Tiger Walk
This is crucial. I can see it now. I can’t wait to witness a special scene of thousands of Tiger fans welcoming the team as they make their way into the stadium. I can’t wait to see Dabo lead the team through the sea of orange on their way to the Valley. Please be there to make this statement and make it a special time. The players need our support and for many it will be the first time to show them your support on this special day.

Welcome Dabo and the Team When They Reach the Top of the Hill
Dabo has never had a chance to run down the hill. He has never had the privilege of leading the team off of the bus and to Howard’s Rock. I can’t wait to see him touch it for the first time. I think we all can make that moment even more meaningful by kicking up the electricity a notch as they come to the top of the Hill. Let’s let them know just how much we love ‘em.

Make Saturday’s game one of the Loudest in Stadium History
I still go back and watch the video of the Miami game and chills still make their way up my spine. We have a chance to make this Saturday another incredible experience. Dabo has this place buzzing and Saturday we need to take full advantage of that. Our goal should be to leave our voices in the stadium.

All In!
On Monday Dabo also said, “My job is to try to lead these guys, love these guys and get them to love each other and play hard and believe in each other and circle the wagons and believe in what we're doing and believe that we can have a special season, and we still have the opportunity to do that. There are a lot of things still on the table for this football team. I can't sit here and tell you I can see the future. I have no idea. All I can tell you is the guys that run out there, this Saturday and every Saturday the next month and a half, they're going to be playing with their hair on fire. That's the best we're going to do."

"We're going to unify this group and we're going to play as one. That's our only chance. One heart beat. I gave every one of them the opportunity. If you can't do this, this and this, you need to go get your stuff out of your locker and head on out of here and your scholarship is honored. If you show up on that practice field, you better be all in."

"Our backs are against the wall, but have you ever watched that ole poker show on ESPN? We've got pocket 10. We don't have a great hand, but we've got a chance. We're going ALL IN! I need these players to be all in. We'll see what happens."

Our challenge as fans is to be ALL IN. We need to give everything we can and have zero regrets Saturday. ALL IN!

Dabo’s first game is filled with an uphill battle. The youth and injuries along the offensive line. The new starting quarterback. The C.J. Spiller injury. Georgia Tech’s talented defense. The new offensive staff and new game plan. New logistics of how the play calling will occur.

If he ever needs us then Saturday is that time. Dabo has slept two hours a night but Saturday he could use a jolt of energy and that should come from us.

Dabo has given us a so much this week and we have a great opportunity to express our gratitude this Saturday. I will see you Saturday at the Tiger Walk in Lot 5 at 9:45 am.

I’M ALL IN!!!!!!!!

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