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Clemson's Dabo Swinney calls NFL player returns to college football 'embarrassing'
ReClemson's Dabo Swinney calls NFL player returns to college football 'embarrassing'
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney criticized LSU and Lane Kiffin for bringing NFL players back to college rosters, calling the trend 'embarrassing' and a sign of a sport without governance.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney did not hold back Tuesday when asked about LSU's efforts to add NFL players to its roster, calling the trend "embarrassing" and a symptom of a sport that has lost its guardrails. Swinney's comments come days before his Tigers open the season in Baton Rouge against LSU, a matchup already expected to be contentious that now carries an extra layer of tension.
"Rarely am I at a loss for words," Swinney said. "But I'm at kind of a loss of words. I would just say it's kind of embarrassing. I mean, honestly, it's just embarrassing that that's where we are. I don't blame the kids and people trying to take advantage of the system. I just think it's embarrassing where we are with college football."
The remarks were widely viewed as a direct shot at LSU coach Lane Kiffin, whose program has been the most aggressive in pursuing players who have already moved on to the NFL. The practice has sparked controversy across the sport, with conferences rushing to ban it and prominent figures such as Ohio State's Ryan Day speaking out against it. The SEC has reportedly debated what enforcement action it might take if LSU puts those players on the field.
Swinney also joked about the challenge of preparing for a team that could feature players with professional experience. "Been spending this last week or so studying the Browns, the Cowboys, the Saints and the Bucs trying to get ready," he quipped. "I actually got to go watch practice in early June for the Browns. So I'm probably going to get turned in for tampering, I don't know. I wish I'd have known. I'd have paid a little more attention. Yeah, it's crazy. It's hard."
The Clemson coach went further, lamenting what he described as a lack of meaningful oversight in college football. "That outside stuff, we just kind of — no pun intended — we just stay in our lane here at Clemson. Try to. Every now and then, someone will ram into us. But we just try and handle our business here. But it's embarrassing; it really is. We have no rules. There's no governance. It's a joke. There's zero rules. When you enforce rules, someone just goes and finds a judge to say, 'no, you can't enforce that rule.' Never did I think I'd be living in an era like this. But that's where we are," Swinney said.
The debate over NFL players returning to college has been fueled in part by legal challenges. Lawsuits have been filed, including one with a court date scheduled for Thursday morning, and judges have been willing to rule against enforcement efforts. The Big Ten has already banned the practice, putting LSU and the SEC on a potential collision course over the issue.
Both programs enter the season with something to prove after disappointing campaigns. LSU is a substantial favorite and holds home-field advantage, but Clemson has a talented roster with every reason to believe it can compete or pull an upset. The task could become harder if Kiffin is allowed to use players with NFL experience.
Swinney's comments illustrate how opposing coaches are likely to feel about playing LSU this season should those players remain with the Tigers. Still, a Clemson upset would provide a measure of sweet revenge for the coach who made clear he believes the practice undermines the sport.
