Clemson's Swinney Fires Back At Spurrier

by Larry Leo

October 11, 20124 Comments

Steve Spurrier took a playful shot at Clemson, suggesting LSU was the real “Death Valley.” Clemson's coach Dabo Swinney responded with his own zinger, suggesting the “one real” USC was in California...

quote:
“I heard about that. It’s amazing people are interested in Clemson so much,” Swinney said. “For the record, the original Death Valley is right here (pointing behind him to the stadium). In case anybody has any doubts, its right here. That’s the original Death Valley. I am pretty sure that is accurate, but I can see where he might have a little confusion. Our guys have never been to USC. California is a long way from here. I can see where there might be a little confusion there – two Death Valleys and two USC’s, but there is only one real one. That is classic Spurrier. When he is winning, you can say anything you want. He is one of the best. He has had more lines than anyone probably will. They have a heck of a football team I will tell you that.”

Filed Under: SEC Sports

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19•147 months

Hey, Swinney - we stole your fight song, too. We even chant your name as we play it...

AUTiger83•147 months

I hope South Carolina absolutely destroys Deebo Sweeney and Clempson.

Clyde Tipton•147 months

I'm not trying to get into a Historical LSU debate, but I thought the PMAC was the "Deaf Dome" and Tiger Stadium was just "Death Valley". Like it says just above the lower bowl on the home side.

Purple Tiger 20•147 months

Ironic that Swinney says "California is a long way from here" and essentially we don't know anything about it since that's where his stadium name originated.

The "Death Valley" nickname was first applied to Clemson's Memorial Stadium in reference to Howard's Rock, which was plucked for the dessert sands of the actual Death Valley in California.

Although LSU's Tiger Stadium was constructed nearly 20 years earlier, LSU's use of the nickname came along in a tongue-in-cheek reference to Clemson Memorial's nickname. LSU supporters began referring to their stadium as "Deaf Valley", due to the noise.

Unfortunately, the creativity was lost on television commentators, newspaper men, and, yep, a lot of us football fans alike.

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