I meant to post this on Mother's Day weekend but

May 12, 2016, 8:08 AM

I thought I'd still share the story of how Dabo won the deepest appreciation of my mother (a coot from a coot family).

My youngest brother has Down's Syndrome, and we live locally. So he has been competing at the Special Olympics in Clemson since I can remember. He's 17 now.

We can all remember during the Tommy Bowden years how one or two football players would come to the Special Olympics event at the track field. Rendrick Taylor was a constant because his major was Special Education. We always looked forward to seeing Rendrick (and his massive pipes). My brother was always able to have his picture taken with Rendrick. We thought the football team was well represented with the 2-3 players that would come every year.

Then Dabo was hired. The first year Dabo was head coach, there were dozens of players from the team as well as Dabo himself. My parents were both amazed. My mother, raised in a South Carolina fan and alumni steeped family from the lowcountry, came to appreciate Dabo through the showing of players, and just speaking to him during the event. She was beyond impressed and although she wouldn't pull for us in November, she certainly acknowledged the differences in character between Dabo and Spurlid.

My dad actually talked to the director of the Special Olympics in Clemson about it, wanting to convey his appreciation. All due respect to Tommy Bowden, but apparently he got the invitation by way of email all ten years and never responded. In his first year, Dabo responded with a phone call minutes after receiving the email saying that he'd love to go. Also, I will mention that Brad Brownell comes with his players often too and we appreciate that as well.

Just another example attributing to the type of character the man has. Clemson University is represented by the very best in Coach Dabo Swinney. People from all fan bases and all walks of life have noticed. We are very blessed to have him.

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I meant to post this on Mother's Day weekend but

Great story, thanks for sharing!

It is an incredible experience to be there.

Very cool, thanks again for sharing that***

You are so right.

Re: You are so right.- Yep

Re: You are so right.- Yep

Re: I meant to post this on Mother's Day weekend but

I volunteered for a couple of years in Memphis

Re: I meant to post this on Mother's Day weekend but

Some people were put on this earth to learn and others to...

+1***

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