CLEMSON — Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney was asked about the sudden passing of South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, who died Saturday night at his home in Washington, D.C.

Graham passed away at the age of 71 after suffering an aortic dissection – a tear in the main artery. An aortic dissection is a life-threatening medical emergency in which the inner lining of the aorta—the body’s largest artery—tears.

Swinney said on Tuesday he was shocked when he heard the news of Graham’s passing.

“It’s really sad,” he said. “Obviously, he has been an incredibly influential person from South Carolina. He has served his country for a long time. He is from right here. He is from Central. Right up the road.”

Swinney said he had an opportunity to meet Senator Graham a few times over the years at different events in the state. Though Graham was a University of South Carolina graduate, he would come to Clemson as often as he could.

“He would try to come to at least one practice a year,” Swinney said. “He would stop by, and I am sure he would try to do the same thing at South Carolina as well. That was pretty shocking news.

“Also, he is a reminder for everyone that we are all human and that we are all going to meet our maker one day, whether you want to or not, so make sure you are ready.”

Graham’s sudden passing sent shock waves around the country and the Senate. The republican from South Carolina the last 23 years was not only a veteran figure on the Senate Floor, but he was always at the front when it came to shaping debates, especially on foreign and domestic policies.