Dabo Swinney was not happy when Florida State decided to postpone their game against the Clemson Tigers – suggesting that they were intentionally postponing to dodge their game.
Clemson had complied with the ACC protocol regarding a player testing positive for COVID-19. Clemson had traveled with a player who had shown symptoms but only tested positive on Friday when they arrived in Tallahassee, Florida. Clemson’s athletic director Dan Radakovich affirmed that Clemson took the proper precautions and protocols set by the ACC.
The player who tested positive was an offensive lineman who showed symptoms and tested negative by the team, was allowed to practice with the team but had to wear a mask and visor. Social distancing was used and enforced by the team. When the team traveled to Florida for their matchup, the player no longer showed symptoms but tested positive. Swinney argued that the team had prepared and taken the necessary precaution to be able to play, so there should have been no reason to postpone the game.
“So now we’re changing the rules? You either trust the test, or you don’t,” Swinney said. “If the test is negative, we’re going to tell guys they can’t play anyway? That’s why we test. If a guy has an earache or a runny nose and tests negative all week, and we’re going to say we won’t take you? You either trust the test, or you don’t, and the rules are what they are. There’s been plenty of games played this year where guys were not positive one week and positive the next week. This is a virus. We all know what we’re dealing with. The bottom line is the rules were put in play for everyone, and we more than met the standard.”
Florida State, on the other hand, declined to comment on the fiery statement by Swinney. Just earlier this year, the team opted to not travel when a player and a coach showed symptoms before both tested positive.
Clemson went on to offer to Florida State to undergo additional testing on Saturday or Sunday so they could play either Sunday or Monday. Florida State declined the offer and instead wanted to reschedule the game. “We were willing to do whatever was necessary to play while in Tallahassee,” Radakovich said. “We feel we offered additional solutions to make it work.” Multiple Clemson players were disappointed that Florida State wanted to reschedule the game.
Clemson had spent over $300,000 in costs for travel to go to Florida for their matchup. Swinney will not agree to reschedule the game unless Florida State reimburses them for the costs. Rescheduling a game will require both teams and the ACC to find a new date to play. Radakovich said, “issues associated with rescheduling that will be discussed with the ACC in the coming week.”
