Parker: "I am not a quitter"

Kyle Parker has 4,605 passing yards for his career, sixth in Clemson history.

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Tue Nov 30 17:44:49 GMT-04:00 2010

AUDIO: Kyle Parker press conference (WMA Format)

CLEMSON – Kyle Parker ended nearly three days of speculation Tuesday afternoon when he announced to an assembled group of media that he will take part in Clemson’s upcoming bowl practices and bowl games.

Parker, a redshirt sophomore who will leave after football season to begin a professional baseball career with the Colorado Rockies, was benched during Saturday night’s home finale against South Carolina. Parker threw an interception, which was returned for a touchdown, on the first Clemson drive of the second half.

At the time, the Tigers were trailing 19-7, but the turnover created a 26-7 lead. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney benched Parker following the interception, and backup quarterback and redshirt freshman Tajh Boyd took the rest of the snaps.

Parker left the Clemson locker room almost as soon as the game was over, and did not meet with the media as requested, leading to speculation that he might not make himself available to the team for the bowl game.

Parker said on Tuesday, however, that quitting was not an option.

“First off, I want to apologize that I didn’t come and talk to anybody after the game,” Parker said. “Quite honestly, I don’t think I could have said anything that would have made the situation any better. I knew the questions I would get and me trying to explain how I was feeling wouldn’t have done anybody any justice, including myself.

“I am not a quitter, and I am not going to walk away from this. Even if I wasn’t gonna get a snap in the bowl game, I would still be around because that’s just the way I am. Whenever I came to him [Swinney at the beginning of the season] and told him I was in, that meant I was gonna stick it out for the whole season. This season hasn’t gone the way I wanted it to, but with that said, but that’s not an excuse for me to run out or quit and I’m not going to quit now.”

Parker was asked about allegations that have popped up on a Clemson website in the past two days about his being academically ineligible for the bowl game, and he said his academic standing has not changed in his time at Clemson.

“I’ve been academically fine since I’ve been here,” Parker said. “I guess you’re gonna have to ask those guys. I’m probably one of the first guys to be declared academically ineligible before the semester is even over. Just add that to the list of other things I have accomplished.”

He also said it was important for him to meet with the media and set the record straight about his thoughts and feelings.

“I think a lot of the messages and opinions being spread weren’t true and weren’t really true of my character and how I’ve acted for three-and-a-half years,” Parker said. “I want people to see my attitude and see what’s happened and how I want what’s best for the team, and that I have the best intentions for the team every single Saturday.

“I think it would be easy for me to turn the page and move on to the next part of my life and start practicing baseball. But I didn’t want one issue to ruin what I’ve had here for so long, and I didn’t want any bitterness between me and the fans and the university and the teammates I have been playing with. I thought it would go a long ways to continue to go to practice and try and go out with a win.”

Parker said Swinney gave him the opportunity to leave the program if he wished, but he said he told his coach he was in for the duration. Parker said the coach then told him the staff still has confidence in him.

“Word is I still give the team the best chance to win, and I think that is the common perception around here,” Parker said. “I would guess that means I am starting. I don’t know what that means with playing Tajh, and I don’t care if they do [play Boyd]. If they decide Tajh gives the team the best chance then I will support him.”

He also admitted to reporters that he needs to heal part of his relationship with Swinney, especially after the verbal spat the two had on the sideline after the interception.

“I think it was my attitude afterward. To be 100 percent honest with you, I think it’s just competition,” Parker said. “I don’t see a thing in the way I’ve played the game or a flaw in my attitude. It just didn’t go over well between us. I was just out there competing, trying to give our team the best chance to win.

“Obviously he was, too. With that being said, there was a little altercation. I didn’t think it was too big of a deal. I have to deal with it. I’m the one that was at fault. I’m the player. He’s the coach. What he says goes and I’m the one that has to act in a way to help our team.”

Parker said he has been stung by the criticism that some have directed toward him saying that he has given up on this season.

“I feel like, despite the bad times, we’ve had a lot of good times this year,” Parker said. “I’ve learned a lot of things. What’s really frustrating is the opinion that I’ve given up on the season already and I didn’t give it my best effort. I can sit here today and feel totally at peace with the effort I’ve put in and my attitude towards everything. I haven’t thought for a second about quitting. I think it’s sad to feel like that’s the perception of me.”