Michael Strahan, Ayesha Curry Offer to Feed Clemson After Donald Trump Dinner
Jan 16, 2019
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 14: (AFP OUT) U.S President Donald Trump presents fast food to be served to the Clemson Tigers football team to celebrate their Championship at the White House on January 14, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chris Kleponis-Pool/Getty Images)
Although the Clemson Tigers reportedly enjoyed their fast-food feast with President Donald Trump at the White House, a chorus of celebrities continue to offer the College Football Playoff national champions a chance to dine on more luxurious cuisine.
Ayesha Curry, the wife of Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, and former NFL star Michael Strahan each made dining proposals to the Tigers on Tuesday:
@eatatsmoke will gladly feed the Clemson Tigers any day. A real feast and celebration. No 10cent dipping sauces on silver platters 🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♀️
Rapper Quavo also offered to open the doors of Quality Control headquarters for Clemson:
I WANNA SHOW CLEMSON TIGERS AND POTUS HOW CHAMPS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE TREATED YALL WELCOME TO COME BY THE QC HEADQUARTERS ANYTIME Dabbin DABO STILL #GODAWGS The Stir Fry Way!
Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence told TMZ Sports that Trump's decision to provide a variety of fast-food items was "awesome":
Lawrence threw three touchdown passes in Clemson's 44-16 blowout victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the national title game.
Kaitlan Collins and Liz Starkof CNN reported Trump paid for the meals himself since most of the White House food staff is furloughed because of the ongoing government shutdown.
Great being with the National Champion Clemson Tigers last night at the White House. Because of the Shutdown I served them massive amounts of Fast Food (I paid), over 1000 hamburgers etc. Within one hour, it was all gone. Great guys and big eaters!
Meanwhile, restaurant executive Nick Kokonas is also ready to feed the Clemson roster:
I could care less about college football. But I'm personally inviting the Clemson Tigers team and coaches to Chicago to experience what an actual celebration dinner should be.
I'm not joking.
Someone let them know what The Alinea Group does. It'll be worth it@ClemsonTigers
Although it's unclear whether the Tigers are going to accept any of the other food offers, they are free to do so under current NCAA guidelines, whichchangedin 2014 to allow "unlimited meals and snacks in conjunction with their athletics participation."
Quavo Invites Clemson to Celebrate CFP Title After Donald Trump Fast Food Dinner
Jan 15, 2019
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 26: Hip-Hop artist Quavo sits court-side against the Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers on December 26, 2018 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
The president of the United States served the Clemson Tigers fast-food burgers.
Quavo apparently wants to teach them the "Stir Fry" way.
The Migos rapper took to Twitter on Tuesday, offering an open invitation for the college football national champions to "COME BY THE QC HEADQUARTERS" to show "HOW CHAMPS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE TREATED":
I WANNA SHOW CLEMSON TIGERS AND POTUS HOW CHAMPS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE TREATED YALL WELCOME TO COME BY THE QC HEADQUARTERS ANYTIME Dabbin DABO STILL #GODAWGS The Stir Fry Way!
That siren you hear whistling in the background? That's the NCAA Fun Police with their notepads out ready to write out a violation.
It's unlikely Clemson will ever make its way to the Quavo compound for that reason; any free meals from the rapper would likely constitute a violation of NCAA rules.
President Donald Trump was the subject of both criticism and mockery Monday night when he hosted the Clemson football team and served everyone an array of fast-food items. Trump said he paid for the meal himself because of the government shutdown.
"Because of the shutdown, you know we have the great Clemson team with us, the national champions. So we went out and we ordered American fast food, paid for by me," Trump said. "Lots of hamburgers, lots of pizza."
Critics found the spread underwhelming, with some citing health concerns and others the optics of serving $2 hamburgers on what is usually a more luxurious occasion. Trump tweeted Tuesday that the entire spread was gone within an hour.
For their part, the Clemson players and coaches did not seem to mind the cuisine.
"What a fun day. It is an honor to be a part of this tradition," Tigers head coach Dabo Swinneysaid. "To be honest with you, it is really cool that football can create an opportunity like this."
It's unclear exactly what Quavo would plan to serve the players. But if the lyrics to "Stir Fry" are any indication, odds are he'll come equipped with chicken like Popeye's.
Trevor Lawrence Talks Clemson's 'Awesome' White House Visit with Donald Trump
Jan 15, 2019
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide during the College Football Playoff National Championship held at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. Clemson defeated Alabama 44-16. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
The Clemson Tigers visited the nation's capital Monday to celebrate their 2018 national title with President Donald Trump at the White House, and College Football Playoff National Championship offensive MVP Trevor Lawrence had nothing but good things to say about the trip.
TMZ Sports caught up to Lawrence on Monday night, and the Tigers quarterback called the experience "awesome":
"It was awesome," Lawrence told TMZ Sports. "We had McDonald's and everything. It was good!"
Lawrence said he hopes to make the trip "hopefully a few more" times.
Social media was abuzz Monday when it was revealed the Tigers would be feasting on the likes of McDonald's, Wendy's and Burger King, which President Trump called "great American food":
President Trump said he is personally paying for the meals provided to Clemson for their White House visit, due to the government shutdown. Trump told reporters that he is serving "McDonalds, Wendy's and Burger King with some pizza." https://t.co/s9Gz0ZZzEtpic.twitter.com/ub4ZdPPGSA
It may not have included Lawrence's beloved Chick-fil-A, but the Clemson freshman didn't seem to have any complaints.
National Champion Clemson Tigers Visit President Trump at White House
Jan 14, 2019
US President Donald Trump speaks alongside fast food he purchased for a ceremony honoring the 2018 College Football Playoff National Champion Clemson Tigers in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC, January 14, 2019. - Trump says the White House chefs are furloughed due to the partial government shutdown. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
The Clemson Tigers didn't exactly dine like kings when they visited the White House on Monday to celebrate their victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Some fans were left puzzled earlier in the day when Trump told reporters he would provide "McDonald's, Wendy's and Burger King with some pizza" for the players in attendance, per CNN's Kaitlan Collins and Liz Stark.
True to Trump's word, the White House laid out an array of fast foods:
White House says President Trump "is personally paying for” event with National Champions Clemson tonight "to be catered with some of everyone’s favorite fast foods,” because "much of the residence staff at the White House is furloughed” due to the ongoing government shutdown. pic.twitter.com/abr5wFrc1I
The Daily Beast's Timothy Burke noted the Tigers coaching staff may not have been happy with the meal given how seriously the program takes the diets of its players. Clemson hired a dedicated executive performance chef in 2017.
USA Today's Paul Myerberg thought Trump's biggest mistake was his choice of food providers:
Getting the championship invite to the White House is about much more than the food but if you do what Clemson did to Alabama you deserve fried chicken at least. CFA, Popeye’s, Bojangles’, whatever.
Clemson player, years later: “In 2019, we won the championship and got to go to the White House!” “I bet the food was amazing” “Nah the government was shutdown and we got McNuggets”
Upon speaking to the assembled crowd, Trump made known his desire to represent Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence at the next level.
"I want to be the agent of that tall, handsome quarterback," the president said, per Yahoo News' Hunter Walker.
Lawrence threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Alabama, and many expect the 6'6", 215-pounder to be a high pick in the 2021 draft, the first year he'll be eligible to head to the NFL.
According to USA Today's Tom Schad, Trump also said Clemson "inspired America" with its national championship run.
Since Ronald Reagan's presidency, the White House visit has been a staple for championship teams in both the professional and college realms. The tradition has become less regular during Trump's time in office.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James famously called Trump a "bum" when Trump rescinded an invitation to the Golden State Warriors to celebrate their 2016-17 NBA championship. Warriors star Stephen Curry had said he wasn't looking forward to a trip to the White House.
Trump used a similar tactic in June with regard to the Philadelphia Eagles. He said in a statement the Eagles "disagree with their president because he insists that they proudly stand for the national anthem."
According to ESPN.com's Don Van Natta Jr., "five or fewer" Eagles would've attended the event if it had gone on as planned.
The World Series champion Boston Red Sox accepted an invitation from the White House in December after they defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Fall Classic. The team has yet to lock down a date to travel to the nation's capital.
The Red Sox might be having second thoughts after checking out Monday's spread.
Dabo Swinney Calls 2018 Clemson 'The Best Team Ever' at Tigers' CFP Title Parade
Jan 12, 2019
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney celebrates after the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Alabama, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. Clemson beat Alabama 44-16. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Clemson finished the season with a College Football Playoff National Championship, and head coach Dabo Swinney believes the squad was historically great.
The coach discussed the team's place in history Saturday while speaking at the Tigers' title parade:
"The 2018 team is the best ever," Swinney said. "Drop the mic, the best ever. And they have set a standard for all future teams."
Clemson finished the season with a 15-0 record after its shocking 44-16 win over Alabama in Monday's title game, the first team to post this mark since Penn in 1897. The Tigers outscored opponents 116-29 in three postseason games on their way to a championship, while only two games all year were decided by less than 20 points.
Immediately after winning the title, Swinney wanted to push the discussion toward this squad being an all-time great.
"There was a lot of talk about 'best ever' all year long," the coach, per Heather Dinich of ESPN. "We were never in that conversation. But tonight, there's no doubt."
Although we might never know how this squad would stack up with the elite teams at Alabama, Nebraska, Miami, USC and others, the 2018 Clemson Tigers deserve to at least be in the conversation.
Clemson Parade 2019: Twitter Reaction, Photos, Videos, GIFs and More
Jan 12, 2019
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney celebrates after the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Alabama, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. Clemson beat Alabama 44-16. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
The Clemson Tigers celebrated their 2018-19 championship season with their fans on Saturday, holding a victory parade in Clemson just days after their title game rout of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Clemson became the first college football team since 1897 to go 15-0 in a season. Head coach Dabo Swinney's squad faced little resistance en route to their second national championship in three years, winning by an average of 31.1 points per game.
That includes a 30-3 domination of Notre Dame in the semifinals and a 44-16 beatdown of Alabama in the title game.
The day of celebration began early on Saturday morning, with the gates to Memorial Stadium opening at 7 a.m. As fans inside waited for the parade to begin, they were treated to a replay of the victory over the Crimson Tide:
#NationalChampionship Game replaying inside Death Valley right now — Justyn Ross just made his insane one-hand grab 👋
Former Clemson star C.J. Spiller was among those in attendance:
One who helped pave the way: Former #Clemson great C.J. Spiller on hand with nephew and daughter for National Championship celebration this morning at Death Valley pic.twitter.com/CX1Gp0VsSR
The two-time title-winning coach made sure to point out some of the accomplishments achieved by his players, per Clemson Sports Talk: "The 2018 team is the best ever. Drop the mic. It’s not that we won, it's how we won. They had the highest GPA in team history. There were 80 bowl teams, we had to most college graduates. These trophies do not define us. Our culture defines us."
Of course, no celebration would be complete without a hoisting of the trophy:
Although the parade has come and gone, the celebration is far from over. President Donald Trump announced on Friday the Tigers would once again be visiting the White House on Monday.
Of note,Bovada lists Clemson (+175) as the favorite to win the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship.
Clemson to Visit Donald Trump at White House on Monday to Celebrate CFP Title
Jan 11, 2019
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 12: Clemson University President Jim Clements (L) and Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney (R) present two jerseys, one for President Donald Trump (2nd L) and one for his son Barron, during a South Lawn event at the White House June 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. President Trump hosted the team to honor 2016 NCAA Football National Championship. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
For the second time in three years, head coach Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers will celebrate their College Football Playoff championship with a trip to the White House.
President Donald Trump announced Friday that he will host the Tigers in the nation's capital Monday:
I look forward to hosting, right out of the great State of South Carolina, the 2019 NCAA Football Champion Clemson Tigers at the White House on Monday, January 14th. What a game, what a coach, what a team!
Some teams (like the Golden State Warriors) have declined the invitation from the Trump administration in recent years, but Swinney said in 2017 that he viewed the trip as a "great experience":
While this year's visit comes just one week after the title game, a 44-16 blowout of Alabama, Clemson wasn't able to celebrate its 2016 championship in Washington, D.C., until June 2017:
Clemson is scheduled to hold its victory parade in South Carolina on Saturday.
Clemson DE Clelin Ferrell Declares for 2019 NFL Draft
Jan 10, 2019
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Clelin Ferrell #99 of the Clemson Tigers react against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Clemson Tigers defensive end Clelin Ferrell announced Thursday he's decided to forgo his senior season to enter the 2019 NFL draft.
The prized prospect announced his decision via Twitter:
Matthew 17:20... My Foundation Is Built On Faith And Through That Greatness Is Achieved..🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/YUAKS1OS8K
The Clemson junior was listed as the No. 11 overall prospect in Bleacher Report draft expert Matt Miller'slatest big board.
Ferrell emerged as one of the top edge-rushers at the college level over the past three seasons with the Tigers. He racked up 110 total tackles, 15.5 sacks, three passes defended and two forced fumbles across 28 games during his redshirt freshman and sophomore seasons in 2016 and 2017.
The 21-year-old Virginia native finished the 2018 campaign with 55 tackles, 11.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and a touchdown while helping Clemson win its second national championship in three seasons.
"I feel like the year's going well, but I feel like there's another level that I can take it to," Ferrell told reporters in November. "There's always something that I can get better at...I feel like it's been a good year so far but it's still a long ways you got to go."
While the defensive end features ample size, strength and athleticism, the biggest question is whether he features enough explosiveness off the edge to find consistent success at the NFL level.
Greg Gabriel of Pro Football Weekly discussed those concerns before the 2018 season.
"As a pass-rusher, Ferrell is good, but not great," Gabriel wrote. "He gets off the ball quickly but is not explosive, and he lacks the ability to dip under his opponents when coming off the edge. He has some moves, and can counter back to the inside as well as bull rush. We also see a spin move at times."
Those issues have persisted, and they're made more noteworthy by the fact Shaq Lawson, another Clemson product, faced similar questions when he entered the draft in 2016. The Buffalo Bills still invested a first-round pick on him, but he's failed to develop into a serious pass-rushing threat.
All told, Ferrell has provided Clemson with steady production over the past three years and features enough raw ability to become a better NFL asset than Lawson. Their similar paths with the Tigers is a story to monitor heading toward the draft, though.
A strong draft process could land the defensive end inside the top five, but don't be surprised if he slides into the teens if he doesn't dominate at the combine and during individual workouts with teams.
Dabo Swinney Wins 2018 Paul 'Bear' Bryant Coach of the Year Award
Jan 9, 2019
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney poses with the championship trophy at a news conference for the NCAA college football playoff championship game Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney capped off a historic season by winning a national championship and being named the 2018 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year in the span of 48 hours.
Per an official release from Clemson, Swinney became the first coach in history to win the award three times after leading the Tigers to a 15-0 record.
"It's not about the X's and O's, it's about the hearts and souls," Swinney said. "And I've got a great group of young people who lay it on the line."
The National Sports Media Association voted Swinney as the best coach from a group of finalists that also included UAB's Bill Clark, Central Florida's Josh Heupel, Notre Dame's Brian Kelly, Army's Jeff Monken, Alabama's Nick Saban and Fresno State's Jeff Tedford.
Swinney, who previously won the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award in 2015 and 2016, led the Tigers to their second national title in three years with a dominant 44-16 win over Alabama in the College Football Playoff Championship Game.
Clemson became the first team in modern college football to go 15-0 in a season and first program to accomplish that feat since Penn in 1897.
This marks the second major Coach of the Year honor for Swinney during the 2018 season. He previously won the Woody Hayes Award last month.
Alabama vs. Clemson 2019: Comments, Reaction After College Football Championship
Jan 8, 2019
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Trayvon Mullen #1 of the Clemson Tigers receives the trophy after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide during the College Football Playoff National Championship held at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. Clemson defeated Alabama 44-16. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
There was no guarantee that Alabama would win the national championship in its confrontation with Clemson Monday night at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, but the combination of Nick Saban, Tua Tagovailoa and a rock-ribbed defense appeared to give the Crimson Tide a very good chance of winning yet another title.
Trevor Lawrence and the Tigers were having none of it. Not only did they seize control of the game in the first half, but they also dominated what many believed was the best Alabama team in the Saban era and earned the national championship with a 44-16 victory.
Lawrence had a brilliant game, and he was the best quarterback on the field. The freshman QB was at his best on the big stage, and he completed 20 of 32 passes for 347 yards and three touchdown passes. More than the numbers, he was calm at the start of the game, focused as the game progressed and took advantage of mismatches whenever he saw them.
Lawrence was the offensive player of the game, and he drew nearly universal praise for his performance. Gil Brandt, the NFL.com analyst and former Dallas Cowboys personnel specialist who was recently installed in the team's Ring of Honor at AT&T Stadium and is currently a Hall of Fame nominee, was straightforward and succinct in his praise:
Trevor Lawrence is the best true freshman QB I've ever seen. If I was running an NFL team, I'd be making trades for as many 2021 picks I could get my hands on.
It's a shame the system will now force Trevor Lawrence to play two more years of college football, risking his knees and shoulders for Clemson after already winning it a national championship.
However, it was not just about Lawrence. Freshman wideout Justyn Ross had an explosive game and dominated the Alabama secondary with his speed, moves, hands and toughness.
Ross came into the game as the Tigers' fourth-leading receiver in the number of receptions, but he was clearly the best receiver on the field.
Ross caught six passes for 153 yards, and that included a 74-yard TD reception early in the third quarter that appeared to be the knockout blow in the game.
While it was a brilliant night for the Tigers, it was nothing but disappointment for the Crimson Tide. A hungry and motivated Clemson team took them apart, and Clemson's Dabo Swinney outcoached Saban.
Many of Saban's decisions were questionable, including a decision to run a fake field goal on a 4th-and-6 play that saw his holder attempt to pick up the first down by running into the interior of the line.
Saban looked perplexed as the game unfolded, and his powerful defense could not sack Lawrence even once. Analyst Todd McShay called out Saban for taking it on the chin with his coaching decisions, while SEC media king Paul Finebaum anointed Swinney for the job he did in preparing his team:
I’m still struggling to process how badly Nick Saban and staff were out-coached last night. Never seen it before! Dabo pressed all the right buttons and Vennables was a star with his pressures on Tua.
Congratulations to Dabo Swinney and Clemson for an extraordinary victory and national championship. Just an amazing and jaw-dropping beating of Alabama and Nick Saban. Truly epic performance.
Since the shock value of Clemson's dominance is the story of the moment, there is a feeling that the balance of power in college football is changing.
However, it would be wrong to think that Alabama is going away any time soon and the Crimson Tide won't be back in the title picture next season. OddsShark has them as the second choice to win next year's national championship:
Tides go through phases. Some high, and some low. But both high and low share one trait...they continue. There is inevitability to the Tide. Each wave carries with it a certainty: It will regroup, it will grow stronger...and it will ALWAYS return.#OutworkYesterday#RollTidepic.twitter.com/e5mEYamh7U
