The Clemson Brand
I began following Clemson football in 1974 when I came to my first game. I was a fanatic from the first game. I got the program and memorized every player and every number.
That was the first season my family went to games and we haven't stopped, but Clemson has changed from those days.
I can remember one time in the mid-80s my mom saying, "It was more fun when we didn't expect to win every game."
I know what she meant but I think it’s more fun now.
The football program has grown over the last 40 years. I didn't know what branding was then but looking back on it the Clemson football brand has changed dramatically. In those days many across the nation had no idea where Clemson was. In fact, I can remember
Danny Ford
Danny Ford
Former Head Coach
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was asked before the Orange Bowl after the 1981 season if he felt disrespected because many of the Nebraska players didn't what state Clemson was in. He said, “No, I'm not sure how many of our players know either.”
Back in those days we played bowl games and the opponent would ask where Clemson is. We would say South Carolina and they still thought North Carolina.
Today the Clemson brand is the strongest I have ever seen it. After
C.J. Spiller
C.J. Spiller
Pro Running Back
#28 5-11, 195
Lake Butler, FL
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's senior season I was skiing in Jackson Hole, WY and was stopped several times when people saw my Clemson jacket. Every one of them mentioned how much they loved Spiller.
It happened again this year in Orlando in January. This time it was
Sammy Watkins
Sammy Watkins
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
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but several mentioned the wins against LSU and Ohio State.
This year's recruiting class is the latest example of this strong brand. In the old days Clemson could recruit South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. We got players from other states but had a hard time going head to head with national powers. Today Clemson has a strong name and can recruit into many more areas and compete with the big boys.
The class of 2015 will not sign for another eight months, but most of the class is on board and the Tigers are second in the country according to rivals.com.
This class has seen Clemson go toe-to-toe with the likes of the Alabamas, Floridas and Florida States of the world and win.
It just seems like I am not surprised anymore when the staff gets in with a national recruit and beats the nation's best. It used to happen occasionally but now it’s more frequent. It seems like now Clemson doesn't have to back down to anyone and has as much to sell as any program in the country.
What we are seeing is the product of a lot of things. There have been a lot of positives in the past few years and the future looks even brighter. The staff has a great story to tell with so many aspects of the program and the top ranked prospects are paying attention.
What this really means is the long term sustainability of the program. This is not a program that has to catch lightning in a bottle. This is now a program that looks like it could have staying power for years to come because the brand is so strong.
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Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
If you would like to add someone to the list please email me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list.
Those who need our prayers include: Finn Brookover, Jo Ann Bachman, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got Igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard, Gillespie and his family, Jim S., Daniel Rosborough, the Huffman family, Nancy Winkler, John Reeve, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L., Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs, Perrin Seigler, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, the Nicolopulos family, "the Jacksonville, FL guys," Kim Sims, the Coyle family, Ryleigh Tedder, Steve Lee, Kelly Trakas, Jimmy Moore, the Thomas V. family, Emary Claire Young, Kitty Bowers, Julie Locke, the Scheider family, Lauren Kittles' family, Frank Gentry, Joyce Bussey, Stacey McKeown, Dale Childs, Larry Lentz, Jr., Carl Sharperson, Scott Hannon, William Perry, Tyler Swaney, Lillian, Mark Feit, David Frame, Chad Berry, the family of Matthew M. Watson, the Dowis family, Alan Putnam, the Olivers, Lee Tate, Ronnie Abrams, Eddie Greene, the Jackson family, Bill Vader, Jim Taylor, Tina DeWitt, Rock Horne, Bobby Wayne Thomas, Emma and Danielle Carothers, Robert Ditty, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Smith, Dot Cartee, Ayden Mills, Millie Heatley, Lynn Martin and family, Michael Pinson, Jake David family, Angie Crowley, Ira, Mike Tolson, Poly Wells, Dr. Muriel Bishop, Jack Cunningham, Emily Jefford Meister, Zachary Stoller, Aaron Clackum, Pat James, Cortney Moore, William Moore, Angelia and Savannah Anderson, William Ross, Scott Johns, Frank Carroll,
Brandon Thompson
Brandon Thompson
Defensive Tackle (2008 - 2011)
#98 6-2, 310
Thomasville, GA
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, Alvin Sammons, Georgine McAlhaney, Glen Davis, Mike Price, Clay Childers, Aaron Knight, Danielle Johnston and family, Nicholas Abrams, Lana Kuykendall, Gary, Gary G., William Huggins, Jim Bennett, Chantz Fowler, Ethel McElveen, Michele Gurganus, William Gentry, Lewis Usher and Tanya Sanders, Shon Cooper, Nick Collins, Amanda Peake, Danny Hammond, Chip Turner, Nick Collins, Allen Steen, the Sturkey family, the Lance family, Nick Chrisley's family, Allison Williams, Lt. Kyle Walker, Summer and Joel Johnson, Nicole O'Donnell, James O. Johnson, Joy Pruett and family, Bill Schmidt, Jack Bailey, Gardner Family, Charles Turner, Kathy Bartholomew, Ray Sanders, David and Robin Blocker, J.R. Ray, Kenneth Kowe, Lauren Sielicki, Doug Bailey and family, Jenna Phipps, Mark Lawrence, Harlan Sullins, Peter Laboy, Kat and Carlisle Jones, Elizabeth Galloway and family, Anita McDonald, Willard Harryman, Liz Surratt, Molly Senn, Jackie Shearer, Richard Sellers, Tim Drisdelle, Edward Easterling, Dawson Bourne, Susan and Mike Brown, Julie Goodman Marshall, Willard and Dorothy Harryman, Justin Jernigan, Jack Cunningham, Mia Daughtery, Tee Senn, Jim Lanier, Bob Garrett, Skylar, Joseph Thomas, Mrs. Nelis, Jeanne Thompson, Sean Rowell, George Parker,
Levon Kirkland
Levon Kirkland
Linebacker
# 0, 0
,
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and family, Catherine Sewell, Randy Davenport,
Patrick DeStefano
Patrick DeStefano
Offensive Line (2012 - 2013)
#71 6-5, 275
Spartanburg, SC
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, David Vaughn, Keith Dalton, B.T., Bill Hilbig, Rita Elrod Hammond and family, Jim McKeller, Tony Alewine, Sharon Storck, Dick Baird, Mark Whiten, and our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day, plus their families.
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