Former Clemson football player Haamid Williams has accused head coach Dabo Swinney of dropping the n-word.
The former Tigers running back alleged Saturday afternoon that Swinney said, “I don’t want to walk in the locker room with guests/future coaches hearing n*gga this n*gga that in our house” while talking about the music played in the locker room. (RELATED: David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football)
The accusation comes after assistant coach Danny Pearman admitted to using the slur during a practice years ago.
If i say this and you weren’t in the room people are gonna think Im on hallucinating.
We played music everyday before practice for obvious reasons. Mike Reed, new/prospective CB coach came to visit and he toured our locker room while we were listening to music.— Haamid Williams (@HWill39) June 6, 2020
Dabo walked into the meeting room and said “i don’t want to walk in the locker room with guests/future coaches hearing nigga this nigga that in our house”. Some people just walked out of the team meeting room because they didn’t want to hear his shit
— Haamid Williams (@HWill39) June 6, 2020
And that was it. Players told him to watch his language and chill out. Then we went to practice. Ive seen interviews of players who walked out that day that said they still like Dabo in NFL interviews.
— Haamid Williams (@HWill39) June 6, 2020
Obviously, this is an extremely ugly accusation by Williams against Swinney. This seems like something would be 100% out of character for Swinney.
I find it incredibly difficult to believe Swinney, one of the most recognizable faces in all of sports, walked into a locker room and started dropping n-bombs.
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Given how many players are on a college football team, it seems like something that would have dozens of witnesses.
Yet, nobody seems to be backing up Williams’ claim. Of course, that’s not to say he’s not telling the truth, but where are the witnesses?
If you’re going to accuse a man, especially one of high character, of using a racial slur, then you damn sure better be able to back it up.
Otherwise, you’re just tarnishing a good man’s reputation without proof. Hopefully, the Tigers are able to get to the bottom of this, but I find this accusation incredibly difficult to believe.
UPDATE: Former Clemson tight end Brandon Ford claims Swinney never used a racial slur during the alleged incident.
Bro, not telling you how you should have addressed it but I was there and it’s false, I don’t recall him saying the N WORD at all. I was the 1 playing the music and it had all kinds of profanity going on because we all play the unfiltered versions. Hell its us in locker room
— Brandon Jerrod Ford (@BruceLeroy80) June 7, 2020
And we be jammin and having a great time. Swinney was upset because he happened to be showing a coach out facilities and it could have made it be a bad impression. He did come up to the team meeting room expressing that he doesn’t want to experience that again but he didn’t say
— Brandon Jerrod Ford (@BruceLeroy80) June 7, 2020
“Nigga this and nigga that”. I know you probably taking heat behind all this but I’m here to tell you, just pray about it and think a little longer before using social media because it can be taking to another level. I know you were probably upset and emotions got the best of you
— Brandon Jerrod Ford (@BruceLeroy80) June 7, 2020
But hey we all ain’t perfect and we make mistakes. Im not here to slander you or make you look dumb I just want to speak on my behalf. If It did happen I would have def agreed with you or backed you. No worries though it’s a tough time in the world today and this is a sensitive
— Brandon Jerrod Ford (@BruceLeroy80) June 7, 2020