It’s no secret who Dabo Swinney is pulling for in Super Bowl LI today as the Atlanta Falcons play the New England Patriots at 6:30 p.m. in Houston, Texas.
With two of his former players starting on their defensive line, Swinney will “Rise Up” as a Falcons fan. Of course defensive end Vic Beasley and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett both played for Swinney at Clemson and were starters on a defensive unit that ranked No. 1 in the country in 2014.
“They’re champions already to me,” Swinney said earlier this week. “It is just absolutely awesome. Two Georgia boys … second year players, starters and to see what Vic has done in his second year in leading the league in sacks.”
Beasley led the NFL with 15.5 sacks, which earned him his first Pro Bowl. Obviously, he did not play in the all-star game because he was preparing for the Super Bowl.
Beasley and Jarrett will become the 46th and 47th former Clemson players in history to participate in football’s biggest game. Over the years, Clemson’s football program has been well represented in the Super Bowl. Twenty-four former Tigers have held up the Vince Lombardi Trophy at seasons end. This year’s game will mark the 33rd time at least one Clemson player participates on Super Bowl Sunday.
“For them to have this opportunity and this moment, it is awesome,” Swinney said of Beasley and Jarrett. “They did not get a chance to be a part of the national championship year on the field, but they were certainly a huge part in setting us up to have a chance to continue to climb the mountain with their efforts and work ethic and so forth.
“I’m really happy for them. I’m pulling for them. I have talked to both of them, they are excited.”
Like Clemson was to Alabama, the Falcons are the underdogs in Super Bowl LI against Tom Brady’s Patriots. Swinney is hoping the last 10 months of those with championship droughts winning championships continues. Atlanta has never won a Super Bowl and the city of Atlanta has not had a champion in any sports since the Braves won the World Series in 1995.
“Villanova won, the Cavs won, the Cubs won, Clemson won … the Falcons I don’t think have ever won have they? Why not?! I’m pulling for the Falcons,” Swinney said. “I would love to see it and I would love to see those guys (Beasley and Jarrett) be World Champions.”
–Above photo: Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Vic Beasley (44) is greeted by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (97) after he scored on a 21-yard fumble recovery in the third quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Beasley and Jarrett, who both played at Clemson, will play in Super Bowl LI today. (photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)
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