Clemson football faces injury updates and calls to end historic tradition

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney addressed an interaction with true freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds following a 37-0 victory over Charleston Southern. During the game, Reynolds briefly left the field after appearing to be limping, prompting backup Trent Pearman to enter. Swinney jokingly referenced the ‘Wally Pipp’ story—a baseball historical reference regarding a player losing his starting position after taking a day off—to caution Reynolds. Swinney confirmed the injury was minor and that Reynolds was fine to continue.

Separately, former Clemson offensive lineman and ACC Network analyst Eric Mac Lain has called for the end of the program’s historic postgame tradition of fans gathering at midfield, known as ‘The Paw’. Speaking on the Gramlich and Mac Lain Podcast, Mac Lain argued that the custom allows opposing fan bases to disrespect the field and damage the turf, particularly following recent home losses, including a 41-13 defeat against Miami.