Racial Allegations Arise Around Swinney
*This story has been updated with a statement from Clemson assistant coach Danny Pearman*
Clemson Head Football Coach, Dabo Swinney, discussed on a Zoom call his feelings concerning the death of George Floyd and the racial tensions that are high throughout the nation. Swinney said that he waited to speak on Zoom in order to gather his thoughts on the situation.
“We are all hurting for the Floyd family, and our country. I can speak for our entire staff and team in that regards. We have all witnessed disgusting acts of evil over the past week here,” Swinney told reporters.
Swinney, largely blamed the death of Floyd and the subsequent violence that has followed on a sinful human nature. His statements have received mixed reactions from the public.
One reaction has come from former Clemson football player Kanyon Tuttle. Tuttle alleges on his personal Twitter, that Coach Swinney allowed racial slurs to occur at Tigers' football practices without repercussion.
Tuttle is the son of, 1981 national champion Tigers great, Perry Tuttle. Tuttle was a walkon for the Tigers from 2016 to 2017 after spending a season at South Carolina State. He alleges that a Clemson assistant coach used the racial slur and Swinney did not make the assistant even apologize.
Clemson special teams coordinator and tight ends coach Danny Pearman responded to the allegation on Twitter.
Portions of the Clemson student-body engaged in a "sit-in" in front of Sikes Hall in 2016, the university's primary administration building, to pressure the school to pursuing racial diversity. Tuttle alleges that Swinney encouraged his players to stay out of the protest to limit distractions.
According to The Post and Courier the students were aiming for the construction of a new multicultural center, the university to forcefully respond to online hate-speech, more funding for minority students organization and diversity training for faculty and administrators.
Five students were arrested for refusing to leave the building.
Swinney has yet to respond to the former player's allegations.
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