CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Watson keeps promise to his coach to break the streak
Even with a torn ACL, Watson delivered on his promise to beat the Gamecocks.

Watson keeps promise to his coach to break the streak


by - Senior Writer -

CLEMSON – Deshaun Watson Deshaun Watson
Fr. Quarterback
#4 6-3, 204
Gainesville, GA

View Full Profile
kept his promise, a vow that took over a year to fulfill but was realized late Saturday afternoon as the final seconds ticked off the Death Valley scoreboard clock.

Prior to signing with Clemson a year ago, Watson was approached by one of the offensive assistant coaches at Georgia’s Gainesville High School who also happens to be a Clemson fan. Lyn Marsh watched Watson grow up, acting as coach, friend and mentor, and hated to demand anything of his star pupil. But he did want to ask one thing.

“Right before he signed with Clemson, I asked him to make me a promise,” Marsh told TigerNet following Saturday’s 35-17 win over South Carolina. “I said, ‘You have to promise me that you are going to stop all of this mess.’ And he told me, ‘Coach, doggone I am going to do it.’ And he is the type of kid that if he tells you he is going to do something then he is going to do it come hell or high water.”

Watson delivered, taking the field with a torn ACL and a tight brace that kept putting his calf to sleep. Twice during the game he limped off the field in an effort to get feeling back into his injured left leg. Twice more, he limped back out onto the field in an effort to not only will his teammates to the win, but to keep his promise.

Watson completed 14 of 19 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns. He also scored two touchdowns rushing, but finished with just 13 yards on the ground, but it was his mere presence on the field that made the difference for an offense that plays with more confidence when the talented freshman is on the field.

Watson said he just wanted to play through the pain.

"Coach (Chad) Morris told me beforehand, if I couldn't run the offense, I shouldn't go out there," Watson said. "I knew I was going to feel some pain, but I didn't care. I was just going to help my teammates win. Whatever play coach Morris was going to call, I was going to go out and execute it the best I could."

Marsh said watching Watson play through the pain was an emotional experience.

“You know, it’s like watching one of your own children play,” he said. “You feel like you are out there with him, running and pushing with him. You have the sweat on your arm and the hot flashes and everything else.”

Watson wasn’t the only star on the field Saturday – freshman wide receiver Artavis ScottArtavis Scott
Fr. Wide Receiver
#3 5-11, 190
Oldsmar, FL

View Full Profile
and freshman running back Wayne GallmanWayne Gallman
RS Fr. Running Back
#9 6-1, 209
Loganville, GA

View Full Profile
had career days as well.

Watson and Artavis Scott celebrate a TD against the Gamecocks
Once the game was over and Marsh thought Watson might have a free moment, he sent Watson a text message.

“I just told him how proud I was of him,” Marsh said. “He is just such a high character kid.”

A few minutes later, a return text Watson said all that needed to be said.

“He said, ‘I told you I was going stop that streak. I promised you. Me and Tay and Wayne got it done.’ He was just reminding me of that promise he made to me.”

Ultimate Level LogoUpgrade Your Account

Unlock premium boards and exclusive features (e.g. ad-free) by upgrading your account today.

Upgrade Now
Comment on this story
Print   
Send Feedback to David Hood: Email | Comment
Scanlon's walk-off homer lifts Hurricanes over No. 2 Tigers
Scanlon's walk-off homer lifts Hurricanes over No. 2 Tigers
WATCH: Clemson players react to their Sweet 16 win over Arizona
WATCH: Clemson players react to their Sweet 16 win over Arizona
Twitter reacts to Clemson's upset win over Arizona to make Elite 8
Twitter reacts to Clemson's upset win over Arizona to make Elite 8
WATCH: Clemson vs. Arizona Sweet 16 extended highlights
WATCH: Clemson vs. Arizona Sweet 16 extended highlights
Post your comments!
Subject (Replies: 31) Author
spacer New Story: Watson keeps promise to his coach to break the streak
TigerNet News®
spacer This kid is a one in a million football player and a one in
MB93Tiger
spacer Re: This kid is a one in a million football player and a one in
fencebusters®
spacer Re: This kid is a one in a million football player and a one in
#1TIGER
spacer Exactly gives everyone even more motivation when your leader
MB93Tiger
spacer Re: New Story: Watson keeps promise to his coach to break the streak
MadDrummer
spacer Wouldn't have happened without him***
Hi Cotton Tiger
spacer Re: Wouldn't have happened without him***
freakgeek
spacer Great group of guys!!!
agcflash
spacer Re: Great group of guys!!!
CinTiger1
spacer Re: New Story: Watson keeps promise to his coach to break the streak
Purple_Panther
spacer Re: New Story: Watson keeps promise to his coach to break the streak
ThumbCat
spacer Re: New Story: Watson keeps promise to his coach to break the streak
DaMann
spacer Re: New Story: Watson keeps promise to his coach to break the streak
I bleed orange
spacer Re: New Story: Watson keeps promise to his coach to break the streak
CinTiger1
spacer I've never felt more confident that our program is heading..
ClemsonTiger1988®
spacer Re: New Story: Watson keeps promise to his coach to break the streak
tigersincepell®
spacer Re: New Story: Watson keeps promise to his coach to break the streak
okgotigers1981
spacer "Air Watson" for Heisman in '15!!!
orangeman
spacer Re: "Air Watson" for Heisman in '15!!!
orangeman
spacer Re: New Story: Watson keeps promise to his coach to break the streak
WeToDeep
spacer That's the stuff of legends right there.***
CDef
spacer Too bad Chad can't keep HIS promise to Watson***
CU2013
spacer Re: Too bad Chad can't keep HIS promise to Watson***
wisertime
spacer Hope Marsh gets Watson to promise to do it 4-years straight!***
Razzmatazz
spacer just imagine after he goes through summer workout
clemson7024
spacer Re: New Story: Watson keeps promise to his coach to break the streak
essoclub_sae
spacer I'm with you Watson
Prime T. Tiger
spacer Re: New Story: Watson keeps promise to his coach to break the streak
ClemsonCox®
spacer Re: New Story: Watson keeps promise to his coach to break the streak
big monk
spacer All hail DW4***
Clemson81to85
spacer Re: New Story: Watson keeps promise to his coach to break the streak
CinTiger1