Palmetto Proving Grounds

Gamecock LEGEND!

He will be missed! Hope to see him on sundays.

awesome write-up Tony.

nice article...im so sick of hearing fans call players thugs because they play with a chip on there shoulder or with reckless abandon....give me 11 JungleBois all day long!!!!

awesome article Tony, this has to be ranked as one of your all time best!

Tony, thank you very much for posting this. I've been disgusted by the "thug" comments from Clemson fans.

His hit on Ellington was an unbelieveable play - very few players can connect on that kind of hit - against an athlete like Andre Ellington - in open space. That was big time. And yes, you are correct, he should not have taunted him. But DJ plays with emotion and the refs made the right call. You are also correct to point out that the Clemson receivers knew where he was after that. Perhaps that explains some of the uncharacteristic drops and alligator arms we saw the rest of the way from them.

It really bothers me when the thug label gets throw out and when people flippantly question someone's intellect, background, work ethic, or academic effort / accomplishments. DJ has worked hard on and off the field and has not been in trouble, not once since he's been on campus. Clemson has allowed players who beat women with towel rods back on their team, so they should think twice before they throw stones. I guess the difference between DJ and Joe Craig is that DJ does not break the law and is actually a good football player.

The bottom line as it relates to Clemson is this: they used to have guys like DJ Swearinger on defense, now they don't. Their coaches would kill to have a guy like him on their defense, but they don't. They can now enjoy watching him on Sundays. Their comments are just a source of their deep frustration. They know they don't have a defense like ours and it kills them.

Thanks again for posting this. I've been watching the Gamecocks and attending home games for nearly 30 years. He's one of my all-time favorite Gamecocks, one of the best 4 year players and leaders we've ever had at this school. He made big plays and made them at big moments. See Miss. St. last year (INT sealed it); Tennessee last year (INT at goal line); Arkansas (pick 6) and countless others. He's been the heart and soul of this defense and team for years. His play has set the tone. He unselfishly plays special teams when asked and covers kicks with enthusiasm and effort. Ask his teammates and coaches what they think about him, that's all that really matters.

Go DJ. Go Cocks.

Great read! Thanks, Tony.

Very thoughtful article on a true leader. I hope DJ has a long and productive career in the NFL. I remember Coach Dula's comments, and I knew we had something then. Tony Watkins and E Cook were tough as nails safeties, but DJ Swagg is the best ever. Sounds like he also has a great sense of humor and keeps his teammates loose.

favorite player

Great article, and an even better story. You have completely cleansed me of any disdain I have ever expressed over some of his after-play antics.