Tigers show appreciation in championship celebration

CLEMSON – Clemson coach Dabo Swinney and his players had their chance to thank an estimated 65,000 of their biggest fans on Saturday morning.

In front of a crowd that filled the lower bowl of Memorial Stadium and stretched onto the concourse, the field and the upper bowl, Swinney and the Tigers celebrated the school’s first national championship since 1981.

Swinney said the title was not only for him and his players, but for all the fans who supported the team.

"I am so dadgum happy for all of Tiger nation," Swinney said to the crowd. "You guys deserve this."

Upon arriving at Memorial Stadium, Swinney gave a long hug to former athletic director Terry Don Phillips, who hired Swinney as Clemson’s head coach in 2008. During his speech to the crowd on Saturday, Swinney became emotional when thanking Phillips and former university president Jim Barker for giving him the opportunity.

"There’s not a lot of people in this world that have the guts and the conviction to do what they believe regardless of what other people think," Swinney said. "Terry Don Phillips, he’s one of those men. Jim Barker, he is as well."

Swinney gave special thanks to associate athletic director of football administration Woody McCorvey, his position coach during his playing days at Alabama, for playing a pivotal role in his journey to becoming a champion coach. Swinney also gave thanks to his former players, with special recognition to former five-star recruit C.J. Spiller, for helping him build the foundation that led to this year’s title.

"Every one of you previous teams and former players that I’ve had, you got a piece of this trophy," Swinney said. "You can bet on that."

Both Swinney and redshirt senior defensive tackle Carlos Watkins took a moment to thank defensive tackles coach Dan Brooks, this year’s AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year, who informed the team this week that he is retiring after a 33-year coaching career.

Watkins, one of six Clemson players to speak during Saturday’s ceremony, tearfully thanked Brooks and hugged him on stage. He credited Brooks with believing in him even when he was at the lowest points of his five years at Clemson.

"I wouldn’t trade anything these past five years to be where I’m at right now," Watkins said.

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Senior linebacker Ben Boulware, an Anderson native known for wearing his emotions on his sleeve, also cried at the podium while thanking Tigers fans and his coaches.

"I’ve been a part of this my whole life, I’m one of y’all," Boulware said to the fans. "I’m so thankful for Coach Swinney for giving me the opportunity to play here. I’m so thankful for (defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Brent Venables), I love him like a father."

Quarterback Deshaun Watson, center Jay Guillermo, tight end Jordan Leggett and safety Jadar Johnson also spoke during Saturday’s ceremony, along with university President Jim Clements and athletic director Dan Radakovich. Guillermo said after the ceremony that it was special to have so many Clemson fans show up.

"I had imagined how many people it would be, and it was triple that," Guillermo said. "It was awesome."

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Bill Hancock of the College Football Playoff was on hand to present the Tigers with the national championship trophy, while Gary Darnell of the American Football Coaches Association presented Clemson with the AFCA Coaches Trophy presented by Amway.

Winning the national championship, Swinney said, was the realization of a dream for him and his players. However, he doesn’t want his program to be defined by this year’s trophies. With his returning players behind him and a number of recruits on official visits in the audience, Swinney closed his address by saying he is already excited for what’s next.

"What a great day, what a great moment," Swinney said. "It’s magical. It’s what we dreamed about, but the best is yet to come."

Follow Dan Hope on Twitter @ Dan_Hope