Dear Reader:

I have a strong suspicion that this particular college football season has tried many players, fans, and coaches’ souls across the country.

And for me, personally, Clemson has certainly experienced one of their most challenging seasons of late. No doubt a lot of soul searching has commenced among all the different ” players” involved including, not just the players, but the whole ” family ” who are the souls of the team-coaches, athletic personnel, administrators, parents, and the whole Clemson community.

In complete honesty I doubt few people didn’t suspect that this year would be different from the top national award-winning teams that preceded it… but I doubt to the extent of the depth of the ” drop. ”

If anybody’s soul has been tried, the most likely candidate would be Dabo… and no doubt he wonders how his team and the escalating injuries continue to fall under the category of ” snake bitten.” But then Dabo and his outlook on life differs from many of his coaching colleagues/ opponents. There is just something spiritually amazing about this man of faith-love of family and team-in fact the two becoming synonymous. For example:

In other words, everyone can be ” Mr. Nice Guy” when things are going great-but what about when they aren’t? This year the Clemson team is told everyday that ” It doesn’t take talent to be a great team-just be a great human being and everything else will fall into place.

In other words Dabo’s love and affection hasn’t wavered because Clemson is struggling with an uncharacteristic “off-season” – Dabo never takes a day off encouraging and loving his players because the struggles are bonding the team closer personally.

There is no one big name now defining who Clemson is… Clemson is the whole team and all who love them through good times and tough ones.

So until tomorrow… I have no doubt that several upperclassmen players now fully understand and appreciate Coach Dabo’s favorite quote:

” Let the light that shines IN you-be brighter than the light that shines ON you!”

Today is my favorite day-Winnie the Pooh