1 00:00:03,760 --> 00:00:06,320 Speaker 1: Man, adversity can be such a great thing for You're 2 00:00:06,360 --> 00:00:09,000 Speaker 1: such a great experience. You know, if you really think 3 00:00:09,039 --> 00:00:11,160 Speaker 1: about it, it's the diversity in our life that really 4 00:00:11,160 --> 00:00:14,319 Speaker 1: shapes us and develops us and teaches us perseverance and 5 00:00:14,720 --> 00:00:17,239 Speaker 1: stick to it this and helps create the change. I 6 00:00:17,239 --> 00:00:20,880 Speaker 1: always say, well, there's no challenge, there's no change. Don't 7 00:00:20,960 --> 00:00:23,600 Speaker 1: ever get caught up to being able to this. Just 8 00:00:23,800 --> 00:00:26,840 Speaker 1: get caught up to being your best. This is the 9 00:00:26,880 --> 00:00:30,360 Speaker 1: Reformed Sports Project, a podcast about restoring healthy balance and 10 00:00:30,400 --> 00:00:36,000 Speaker 1: perspective in all areas of sports through education and advocacy. Hi, 11 00:00:36,159 --> 00:00:38,919 Speaker 1: this is Nick Bonacor from the Reformed Sports Project podcast. 12 00:00:39,080 --> 00:00:41,040 Speaker 1: Joining me today is one of the biggest names in 13 00:00:41,120 --> 00:00:44,159 Speaker 1: sports today, the head football coach from the Clemson Tigers, 14 00:00:44,400 --> 00:00:47,040 Speaker 1: Dabo Sweeney. Coach Sweeney and I touched on a host 15 00:00:47,040 --> 00:00:49,360 Speaker 1: of topics, including why he believes it's so important for 16 00:00:49,400 --> 00:00:52,440 Speaker 1: kids to experience adversity, the importance of discipline, and why 17 00:00:52,479 --> 00:00:56,600 Speaker 1: he always leads with love when teaching and coaching his players. Man, 18 00:00:56,640 --> 00:01:00,200 Speaker 1: I am absolutely in fuego fired up right now. Just 19 00:01:00,240 --> 00:01:03,440 Speaker 1: another ridiculous guest. I'm so humbled. Honorties not a tight schedule. 20 00:01:03,600 --> 00:01:06,120 Speaker 1: I cannot thank him enough for coming on head football 21 00:01:06,160 --> 00:01:09,959 Speaker 1: coach the Clemson Tigers coach Dabo Sweeney. Coach Sweeney, thank 22 00:01:09,959 --> 00:01:12,000 Speaker 1: you so much, sir. Yeah, I'm glad to be with you. 23 00:01:12,040 --> 00:01:14,119 Speaker 1: I hope you're doing well. I'm doing great, coach, I'm 24 00:01:14,120 --> 00:01:16,759 Speaker 1: doing great. And congratulations on reaching a hundred and fifty 25 00:01:16,760 --> 00:01:19,959 Speaker 1: wins in fourteen years, you know, third fastest in history 26 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:22,880 Speaker 1: I believe. And then of course concluding your eleventh season 27 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:24,760 Speaker 1: in a row with ten or more victories, just an 28 00:01:24,800 --> 00:01:27,959 Speaker 1: unbelievable program you've built up. You become the standards. So congrats, 29 00:01:28,680 --> 00:01:31,240 Speaker 1: Thank you. I appreciate that very much. Yes, sir, and 30 00:01:31,280 --> 00:01:34,759 Speaker 1: I want obviously we're talking youth sports, we're talking athletic development, 31 00:01:34,800 --> 00:01:37,920 Speaker 1: everything in between. And after your win at Iowa State, 32 00:01:38,080 --> 00:01:39,760 Speaker 1: I read an article I believe it was the next 33 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:41,959 Speaker 1: day in ESPN, and there was a few quotes in 34 00:01:41,959 --> 00:01:44,000 Speaker 1: there from you that really stood out. You have a 35 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:46,920 Speaker 1: lot of parents, a lot of youth athletes and coaches 36 00:01:46,959 --> 00:01:48,880 Speaker 1: and such that will listen to this, and I'm gonna 37 00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:50,800 Speaker 1: read one of the quotes from the article and kind 38 00:01:50,800 --> 00:01:52,840 Speaker 1: of let you go from there. But um, you talked 39 00:01:52,840 --> 00:01:55,560 Speaker 1: about adversity. You mentioned it several times. And in today's 40 00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:58,240 Speaker 1: youth sports culture, and I'm a sports parents six times over, 41 00:01:58,360 --> 00:02:00,640 Speaker 1: it's not easy. We're seeing a culture where parents are 42 00:02:00,680 --> 00:02:03,680 Speaker 1: struggling with allowing kids to go through struggle, to go 43 00:02:03,720 --> 00:02:07,440 Speaker 1: through adversity. And you mentioned this team's journey was full 44 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:10,120 Speaker 1: of adversity, and we probably had more adversity this year 45 00:02:10,120 --> 00:02:13,320 Speaker 1: than the last seven. Combind why is adversity so important? 46 00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:16,920 Speaker 1: What is that? What makes that cause teams to become great, 47 00:02:16,960 --> 00:02:20,079 Speaker 1: in players to excel? Well, I mean, it's just it's 48 00:02:20,320 --> 00:02:22,720 Speaker 1: it's a part of life. And you know, if you 49 00:02:22,840 --> 00:02:25,720 Speaker 1: have breath in your body, you're going to deal with 50 00:02:25,800 --> 00:02:29,840 Speaker 1: adversity in your life. Um. You know sometimes uh it 51 00:02:29,919 --> 00:02:33,320 Speaker 1: comes earlier. Um, some people do a lot of adversity 52 00:02:33,320 --> 00:02:36,400 Speaker 1: early in their life. Uh, some deal with it later 53 00:02:36,440 --> 00:02:39,800 Speaker 1: in life. But regardless of when it happens that it's 54 00:02:39,960 --> 00:02:43,080 Speaker 1: we all are gonna deal with adversity. And I think 55 00:02:43,200 --> 00:02:47,320 Speaker 1: sports in general, um really prepare us for that. You know, 56 00:02:47,440 --> 00:02:50,600 Speaker 1: if it's done the right way, if if you have 57 00:02:50,680 --> 00:02:53,240 Speaker 1: the right you know foundation in place, as far as 58 00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:56,919 Speaker 1: your team in the right people. Uh, an adversity can 59 00:02:56,960 --> 00:02:59,120 Speaker 1: be such a great thing for you, such a great 60 00:02:59,160 --> 00:03:02,040 Speaker 1: experience you know it's not something that any of us 61 00:03:02,120 --> 00:03:04,200 Speaker 1: like when we deal with it. But if you if 62 00:03:04,240 --> 00:03:06,400 Speaker 1: you really think about it, it's the adversity of our 63 00:03:06,440 --> 00:03:09,000 Speaker 1: life that really shapes us and develops us and teaches 64 00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:12,960 Speaker 1: us perseverance and stick to itness and and um, it 65 00:03:13,000 --> 00:03:15,840 Speaker 1: helps create the change. I always say, where there's no challenge, 66 00:03:15,880 --> 00:03:19,079 Speaker 1: there's no change. And uh, you want to grow strong muscles, 67 00:03:19,080 --> 00:03:20,239 Speaker 1: you got to get in that weight room and you 68 00:03:20,320 --> 00:03:22,320 Speaker 1: gotta grind you know. I mean, you know you're not 69 00:03:22,360 --> 00:03:24,720 Speaker 1: gonna see any change if you don't challenge yourself. And 70 00:03:24,760 --> 00:03:27,240 Speaker 1: I think you know, adversity for me as a person 71 00:03:27,280 --> 00:03:29,640 Speaker 1: of faith, to me, that's God's way of making us 72 00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:33,280 Speaker 1: depend on Him and teaching us all that. Listen, you know, 73 00:03:33,480 --> 00:03:37,000 Speaker 1: it's it's a part of life. Um. And for me, 74 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:40,880 Speaker 1: I always say, you know, it either defines us, destroys us, 75 00:03:40,960 --> 00:03:43,560 Speaker 1: or develops us. And if you really have God as 76 00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:46,360 Speaker 1: a part of your life, God will use the adversity 77 00:03:46,680 --> 00:03:50,680 Speaker 1: to develop you into what your purpose is and a 78 00:03:50,720 --> 00:03:53,000 Speaker 1: better version of you. And that's just what I believe. 79 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:54,800 Speaker 1: And that's kind of how I've always lived my life. 80 00:03:54,840 --> 00:03:56,880 Speaker 1: I've always lived my life by you know, God never 81 00:03:56,880 --> 00:03:59,160 Speaker 1: says God never says my bad. I think we have 82 00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:02,680 Speaker 1: a perfect and bad things happen in this world and 83 00:04:02,680 --> 00:04:06,400 Speaker 1: in this life. But if you have that perspective, God 84 00:04:06,440 --> 00:04:08,960 Speaker 1: will use it in a powerful way to not just 85 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:12,720 Speaker 1: goorify him, but to develop you into again what your 86 00:04:12,720 --> 00:04:15,800 Speaker 1: purposes and what you've been created for. And the confidence 87 00:04:15,880 --> 00:04:20,400 Speaker 1: that comes from growing through adversity serves you well as 88 00:04:20,440 --> 00:04:22,599 Speaker 1: you go through the rest of your life. And uh 89 00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:24,719 Speaker 1: so you know, it's just a part of and there's 90 00:04:24,720 --> 00:04:29,240 Speaker 1: a difference between disappointment and adversity for sure. Uh And 91 00:04:29,400 --> 00:04:32,039 Speaker 1: our team this year had a lot of adversity, and 92 00:04:32,080 --> 00:04:34,480 Speaker 1: it gave me an opportunity to really connect with them 93 00:04:34,480 --> 00:04:36,400 Speaker 1: in a different way, to teach them in a different 94 00:04:36,440 --> 00:04:40,200 Speaker 1: way and hopefully, you know, equip them and prepare them 95 00:04:40,360 --> 00:04:42,440 Speaker 1: as they move on with their life, especially with the 96 00:04:42,480 --> 00:04:45,560 Speaker 1: way we were able to fight through the adversity and 97 00:04:45,600 --> 00:04:48,240 Speaker 1: fight through the storm, if you will, and finish up 98 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:51,640 Speaker 1: you know, um ten and three and in the top fifteen, 99 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:53,839 Speaker 1: and you know we're sitting there too, and two, four 100 00:04:53,839 --> 00:04:56,320 Speaker 1: and three and lots of challenges, lots of you know, 101 00:04:56,400 --> 00:04:59,719 Speaker 1: people hurt, lots of things, and lots of negativity. Uh 102 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:02,080 Speaker 1: And then in the end, we finished up with you know, 103 00:05:02,080 --> 00:05:04,359 Speaker 1: with Alabama getting beat we got the longest winning streak 104 00:05:04,400 --> 00:05:06,839 Speaker 1: in the country in the Pot five and uh and 105 00:05:06,960 --> 00:05:10,960 Speaker 1: that's only because again we fought through the adversity and 106 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:13,560 Speaker 1: and it's made us all better for sure. And I 107 00:05:13,640 --> 00:05:15,440 Speaker 1: think that's what it does. And again, I'm sure you 108 00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:17,760 Speaker 1: have personal experiences in your life where you know you 109 00:05:17,839 --> 00:05:20,159 Speaker 1: had to face adversity, and I think that's what we 110 00:05:20,200 --> 00:05:21,640 Speaker 1: all have to do. We have to face it and 111 00:05:21,680 --> 00:05:23,400 Speaker 1: we have to go through it. You know, it's not 112 00:05:23,520 --> 00:05:26,240 Speaker 1: something you can run from because that doesn't make any better. 113 00:05:26,839 --> 00:05:29,760 Speaker 1: You know, I'm forty forty three years old in September, 114 00:05:29,800 --> 00:05:32,240 Speaker 1: and a unique factor that you and I didn't have 115 00:05:32,320 --> 00:05:35,120 Speaker 1: when we were coming up as the presence of social 116 00:05:35,160 --> 00:05:37,040 Speaker 1: media and you touched on you know, when you were 117 00:05:37,080 --> 00:05:39,080 Speaker 1: four and three. You know, these kids are on Twitter, 118 00:05:39,080 --> 00:05:41,720 Speaker 1: they're on social media. You know, people forget that you're 119 00:05:41,720 --> 00:05:44,880 Speaker 1: dealing you're coach in year old. Yeah, sure, they're men, 120 00:05:45,040 --> 00:05:47,560 Speaker 1: but they're still they're still young men. You know, they're 121 00:05:47,600 --> 00:05:50,080 Speaker 1: still coming of age. They're still learning a lot. And 122 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:52,600 Speaker 1: it's different when you're a thirty year old professional and 123 00:05:52,680 --> 00:05:54,440 Speaker 1: you've dealt with a lot of things. How hard is 124 00:05:54,480 --> 00:05:56,320 Speaker 1: it or is it a challenge for you or did 125 00:05:56,320 --> 00:05:58,240 Speaker 1: you have to develop the knack to be able to 126 00:05:58,320 --> 00:06:01,919 Speaker 1: manage the highs and lows of your players, uh while 127 00:06:01,960 --> 00:06:04,280 Speaker 1: dealing with social media and things that come at them. 128 00:06:04,279 --> 00:06:07,680 Speaker 1: From that standpoint, No, it's definitely something that all coaches 129 00:06:07,720 --> 00:06:10,560 Speaker 1: have had to adapt to over the years. For sure, 130 00:06:10,680 --> 00:06:13,680 Speaker 1: especially in the last decade um as it's become more 131 00:06:13,680 --> 00:06:16,560 Speaker 1: and more prevalent. Because you know, when I was playing, 132 00:06:16,680 --> 00:06:19,880 Speaker 1: I mean you just I mean you you you had 133 00:06:20,200 --> 00:06:24,000 Speaker 1: people have always been negative. People have always had snarky 134 00:06:24,080 --> 00:06:28,360 Speaker 1: comments and and strong opinions or whatever, you know, barbershop talk. 135 00:06:28,560 --> 00:06:30,599 Speaker 1: But that's where it was. It was always just kind 136 00:06:30,600 --> 00:06:33,120 Speaker 1: of in the barbershop, you know, with the boys talking, 137 00:06:33,279 --> 00:06:36,200 Speaker 1: or maybe there was a bad article written with the 138 00:06:36,240 --> 00:06:40,000 Speaker 1: local paper. Um. But what we have now is everyone 139 00:06:40,720 --> 00:06:43,640 Speaker 1: has a platform, you know, everyone has a platform to 140 00:06:43,720 --> 00:06:49,240 Speaker 1: criticize and to judge. And it's that's that's a really scary, 141 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:52,200 Speaker 1: sad part of social media. And there's good things in 142 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:54,880 Speaker 1: social media, but in my opinion, that's mostly not good 143 00:06:55,560 --> 00:06:59,040 Speaker 1: because again, it gives a platform to a ton of negativity, 144 00:06:59,120 --> 00:07:01,600 Speaker 1: and you're dealing with young people and that is their 145 00:07:01,720 --> 00:07:03,920 Speaker 1: world that they've grown up in. And if you're not 146 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:06,120 Speaker 1: equipped the right way and you let that stuff get 147 00:07:06,160 --> 00:07:08,920 Speaker 1: inside of you, it can really affect you and weigh 148 00:07:08,960 --> 00:07:12,160 Speaker 1: you down and create doubt and fear and and and 149 00:07:12,240 --> 00:07:15,320 Speaker 1: all those types of things. So it's it's definitely something 150 00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:19,040 Speaker 1: that as coaches everyone has had to adapt to over 151 00:07:19,040 --> 00:07:21,760 Speaker 1: the last decade and have conversations about and just and 152 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:24,520 Speaker 1: be able to teach, you know, what's important and trying 153 00:07:24,680 --> 00:07:27,400 Speaker 1: to create an inside out of poach. That's something we 154 00:07:27,440 --> 00:07:29,400 Speaker 1: talked about all the time. You're going to be successful, 155 00:07:29,520 --> 00:07:32,280 Speaker 1: you've got to be an inside out thinker. You can't 156 00:07:32,400 --> 00:07:36,360 Speaker 1: allow all that outside stuff to weigh you down. There's 157 00:07:36,360 --> 00:07:38,640 Speaker 1: a saying that says, you know, ships don't sink because 158 00:07:38,640 --> 00:07:40,880 Speaker 1: of the water around them, they sink because the water 159 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:43,240 Speaker 1: gets in. And I think that's that's so true when 160 00:07:43,240 --> 00:07:45,960 Speaker 1: it comes to social media, if you're not equipped properly. 161 00:07:46,240 --> 00:07:48,880 Speaker 1: You know, it's funny the you know, the youth sports dynamic. 162 00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:51,000 Speaker 1: Now everything is like a showcase, right, So it's I 163 00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:52,840 Speaker 1: gotta get seen. And while there's a lot of good 164 00:07:52,920 --> 00:07:55,160 Speaker 1: that comes from out, there's so many more opportunities. There's 165 00:07:55,200 --> 00:07:57,840 Speaker 1: this whole idea that in order to reach the pinnacle, 166 00:07:58,000 --> 00:07:59,960 Speaker 1: or in order to reach you know, become a college 167 00:08:00,040 --> 00:08:02,520 Speaker 1: athlete or continue to excel, we have to put more 168 00:08:02,560 --> 00:08:06,120 Speaker 1: concentrated effort in time into one concentrated area. I know 169 00:08:06,160 --> 00:08:08,160 Speaker 1: from your background, you know, going back and talking to 170 00:08:08,200 --> 00:08:10,280 Speaker 1: Coach Legan and such, you know you were and even 171 00:08:10,320 --> 00:08:12,840 Speaker 1: your your children, if I'm not mistaken, are are sampled 172 00:08:12,840 --> 00:08:15,080 Speaker 1: and played a variety of sports. Have you seen a 173 00:08:15,200 --> 00:08:18,440 Speaker 1: trend from you know, guys that you bring into Clemson 174 00:08:18,680 --> 00:08:21,120 Speaker 1: where you see more single sport athletes or are you 175 00:08:21,120 --> 00:08:23,640 Speaker 1: still concountering and finding you know, guys that are playing 176 00:08:23,720 --> 00:08:25,920 Speaker 1: multiple sports and and is that something that you look 177 00:08:25,920 --> 00:08:28,640 Speaker 1: for along the recruiting chail, guys that are more well 178 00:08:28,760 --> 00:08:32,280 Speaker 1: rounded and balance in that regard. Yeah, That's definitely something 179 00:08:32,320 --> 00:08:36,080 Speaker 1: that we look for as something that I've strongly encourage. Um. 180 00:08:36,120 --> 00:08:38,560 Speaker 1: You know, I've always been a big proponent of cross 181 00:08:38,559 --> 00:08:40,760 Speaker 1: training that comes from playing multiple sports. I mean I 182 00:08:40,800 --> 00:08:43,319 Speaker 1: played three sports. I played football, basedball, and basketball my 183 00:08:43,360 --> 00:08:46,200 Speaker 1: whole life. Um, and I never stopped. I mean, so 184 00:08:46,240 --> 00:08:48,600 Speaker 1: I just go from one thing to the next, and 185 00:08:48,720 --> 00:08:51,520 Speaker 1: you know, there's no doubt that's what prepared me to 186 00:08:51,559 --> 00:08:54,240 Speaker 1: be successful when I did choose to go to Alabama, 187 00:08:54,480 --> 00:08:57,280 Speaker 1: and um, you know, just I think all the different 188 00:08:57,360 --> 00:09:01,920 Speaker 1: dynamics that come from playing multiple sports, different competitive aspects, 189 00:09:02,120 --> 00:09:06,439 Speaker 1: the team dynamics, you know, the cross training, etcetera. Is 190 00:09:06,760 --> 00:09:09,160 Speaker 1: so good for you. And uh yeah, you see it 191 00:09:09,200 --> 00:09:10,840 Speaker 1: now all the time. That's one of the reasons I 192 00:09:10,920 --> 00:09:14,160 Speaker 1: personally coached my kids in travel baseball for years because 193 00:09:14,320 --> 00:09:16,840 Speaker 1: I wanted them to be able to be involved in 194 00:09:16,840 --> 00:09:19,640 Speaker 1: other sports. And uh, we would play and play, and 195 00:09:19,640 --> 00:09:21,160 Speaker 1: then we'd shut it down because it would be time 196 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:24,040 Speaker 1: for football and they play basketball. And I've just always 197 00:09:24,080 --> 00:09:25,640 Speaker 1: been a big proponent of that. And that's something that 198 00:09:25,679 --> 00:09:27,760 Speaker 1: we look for big time. And if you really study 199 00:09:27,840 --> 00:09:32,080 Speaker 1: the NFL Draft, the majority of those guys going in 200 00:09:32,080 --> 00:09:35,480 Speaker 1: the first round they played multiple sports. You know, they 201 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:40,280 Speaker 1: were football, basketball, football, baseball, track, you know whatever. And 202 00:09:40,400 --> 00:09:43,920 Speaker 1: I just think, you know, it teaches you how to balance, um, 203 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:47,520 Speaker 1: your life. It gives you time management skills, uh, you know, 204 00:09:47,559 --> 00:09:50,480 Speaker 1: all those type of things. And you know, look right 205 00:09:50,520 --> 00:09:52,559 Speaker 1: now in the NFL, I mean, we gotta kid named 206 00:09:52,600 --> 00:09:55,480 Speaker 1: Hunter Intro who's tearing the NFL up for the Raiders. 207 00:09:55,720 --> 00:09:59,120 Speaker 1: And this kid was a walk on, uh hundred and 208 00:09:59,120 --> 00:10:02,560 Speaker 1: fifty five pounds all on. And you know, he beat 209 00:10:02,600 --> 00:10:05,199 Speaker 1: out a bunch of five star receivers here at Clemson, 210 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:07,200 Speaker 1: and he's beat out a bunch of NFL guys, even 211 00:10:07,240 --> 00:10:10,240 Speaker 1: the fifth round draft pick um. And so you know, 212 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:13,640 Speaker 1: he was a big time baseball player and a football player, 213 00:10:13,679 --> 00:10:16,320 Speaker 1: and he played basketball. Uh And I just think all 214 00:10:16,360 --> 00:10:19,320 Speaker 1: of those things in the end really help you from 215 00:10:19,320 --> 00:10:23,600 Speaker 1: a competitive spirits standpoint. And uh so, I I just 216 00:10:23,640 --> 00:10:26,199 Speaker 1: think it's good to play as many sports as you can, 217 00:10:26,320 --> 00:10:29,800 Speaker 1: certainly at least two, to have that experience. You know. 218 00:10:29,920 --> 00:10:31,960 Speaker 1: Another part of that ESPN article, and I think it 219 00:10:32,000 --> 00:10:33,960 Speaker 1: ties in with this because you know, when I think about, 220 00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:35,840 Speaker 1: you know, my experience as a as a sports parent, 221 00:10:35,880 --> 00:10:38,120 Speaker 1: it's so easy to make an excuse, right, you know, 222 00:10:38,400 --> 00:10:41,319 Speaker 1: my kids not playing shortstop, my kids not the starting quarterbacks. 223 00:10:41,360 --> 00:10:42,800 Speaker 1: So you know, it's so easy. Now let's go to 224 00:10:42,880 --> 00:10:44,800 Speaker 1: a different team, let's switch up. So go back to 225 00:10:44,800 --> 00:10:46,679 Speaker 1: that adversity. But at the same time, in your quote 226 00:10:46,679 --> 00:10:48,880 Speaker 1: with ESPN, you said what made this team was they 227 00:10:48,920 --> 00:10:52,760 Speaker 1: didn't make excuses. And how important is it for parents, 228 00:10:52,880 --> 00:10:55,080 Speaker 1: you know, to look at circumstances and even though there 229 00:10:55,120 --> 00:10:56,800 Speaker 1: could be a fear of missing out, Oh my god, 230 00:10:56,880 --> 00:10:58,880 Speaker 1: my kid might have to wait his turn or whatever. 231 00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:03,120 Speaker 1: How much is it about teaching, you know, life through sport, Like, Hey, 232 00:11:03,200 --> 00:11:05,520 Speaker 1: let's not make an excuse that, oh, maybe the coach 233 00:11:05,559 --> 00:11:07,400 Speaker 1: has it in for me, or you know, I'm just 234 00:11:07,400 --> 00:11:10,120 Speaker 1: getting hosed. Maybe there's something to be said about waiting 235 00:11:10,160 --> 00:11:13,200 Speaker 1: my turn. You know, let's take ownership of this circumstance. 236 00:11:13,240 --> 00:11:15,480 Speaker 1: Let's find ways to get better. Do you think that 237 00:11:15,480 --> 00:11:17,400 Speaker 1: that is a good way to help kids learn more 238 00:11:17,400 --> 00:11:20,160 Speaker 1: about life as opposed to just keep flip flopping everywhere 239 00:11:20,160 --> 00:11:22,080 Speaker 1: and going in every different dynamics so that they can 240 00:11:22,160 --> 00:11:25,280 Speaker 1: kind of ropes pay for them. Yeah, No, no, absolutely, 241 00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:27,199 Speaker 1: I think you're you're dead on right there. I mean, 242 00:11:27,280 --> 00:11:31,439 Speaker 1: what we've created is, um, we're creating no consequences for 243 00:11:31,559 --> 00:11:34,640 Speaker 1: young people. And I don't think that's good. Um. Not 244 00:11:34,760 --> 00:11:37,280 Speaker 1: that there's not ever a right time for change or whatever, 245 00:11:37,480 --> 00:11:41,560 Speaker 1: and there's certain always extenuating circumstances, but um, for the 246 00:11:41,600 --> 00:11:44,760 Speaker 1: most part, we just made it uh so easy. We've 247 00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:49,080 Speaker 1: almost made it celebrated uh cool and encouraged to give 248 00:11:49,160 --> 00:11:52,959 Speaker 1: up or to change your ball and go uh And 249 00:11:53,000 --> 00:11:55,400 Speaker 1: I don't think that's good. Um. I mean, I think 250 00:11:55,440 --> 00:11:58,440 Speaker 1: about a guy named Charlie war Uh who was a 251 00:11:58,480 --> 00:12:01,320 Speaker 1: basketball player in a football where at Florida State. He 252 00:12:01,360 --> 00:12:03,440 Speaker 1: had to you know, he had to wait his time, 253 00:12:03,760 --> 00:12:06,000 Speaker 1: and uh, you know, he had other good players and 254 00:12:06,040 --> 00:12:09,000 Speaker 1: he kept developing and you keep getting better and uh, 255 00:12:09,040 --> 00:12:12,080 Speaker 1: you know absolutely, I think you know, perseverance and not 256 00:12:12,200 --> 00:12:14,520 Speaker 1: making excuses and stick to it, nous. Those are those 257 00:12:14,520 --> 00:12:17,720 Speaker 1: are things that shape you for life. Um. And those 258 00:12:17,720 --> 00:12:21,120 Speaker 1: are foundational values that you have to have in life. 259 00:12:21,520 --> 00:12:24,040 Speaker 1: And uh, you know again and keeping the main thing, 260 00:12:24,040 --> 00:12:26,640 Speaker 1: the main thing. You know, everybody thinks they're going to 261 00:12:26,679 --> 00:12:28,959 Speaker 1: the NFL or the major leagues or the NBA, it's 262 00:12:28,960 --> 00:12:32,200 Speaker 1: just not the reality. Uh, And so they just staying 263 00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:36,240 Speaker 1: focused on the long term value of you know, your process, 264 00:12:36,400 --> 00:12:40,120 Speaker 1: your education, your experience, your relationships, you know, how you're 265 00:12:40,160 --> 00:12:42,680 Speaker 1: developing as a person to meet those are the most 266 00:12:42,720 --> 00:12:46,040 Speaker 1: important things. And um, you know we've got we've kind 267 00:12:46,040 --> 00:12:49,920 Speaker 1: of gotten away from that. Um. And again there's there's 268 00:12:49,920 --> 00:12:52,560 Speaker 1: a right time for for change, for sure, but I 269 00:12:52,640 --> 00:12:56,040 Speaker 1: just think we've made it so easy with no consequences, 270 00:12:56,080 --> 00:12:58,480 Speaker 1: no barriers, that you have a lot of young people 271 00:12:58,800 --> 00:13:02,640 Speaker 1: that aren't being properly equipped to handle you know, real 272 00:13:02,679 --> 00:13:08,200 Speaker 1: adversity or disappointment or or maybe just uh you know, 273 00:13:08,280 --> 00:13:10,960 Speaker 1: creating the right self awareness that they're going to meet 274 00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:14,160 Speaker 1: as they move forward in life. How do you think 275 00:13:14,280 --> 00:13:16,120 Speaker 1: n i L plays into this? Because I've been an 276 00:13:16,120 --> 00:13:18,280 Speaker 1: interview with a gentleman was kind of covering that, and 277 00:13:18,400 --> 00:13:20,160 Speaker 1: I mean in some states, you know, you have high 278 00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:22,160 Speaker 1: school kids that are you know, parents are just trying 279 00:13:22,200 --> 00:13:24,000 Speaker 1: to figure out how they can get camp. I don't 280 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:25,400 Speaker 1: even know the whole ins and outs of it, but 281 00:13:25,520 --> 00:13:27,520 Speaker 1: it kind of changes the whole dynamic. It almost seems 282 00:13:27,520 --> 00:13:29,880 Speaker 1: like it's professional sports. Have you found like, how is 283 00:13:29,920 --> 00:13:32,080 Speaker 1: the n I'L gonna play into recruiting? And you know, 284 00:13:32,120 --> 00:13:34,120 Speaker 1: do you think the whole youth sports these kids coming 285 00:13:34,200 --> 00:13:37,120 Speaker 1: up now through it? Yeah, I mean it's you know, hopefully. 286 00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:40,840 Speaker 1: I think there's a lot of unintended consequences going on 287 00:13:40,920 --> 00:13:43,240 Speaker 1: with that. I think I think the intention was good 288 00:13:43,520 --> 00:13:45,440 Speaker 1: and I think there's a lot of positives with it 289 00:13:45,520 --> 00:13:48,559 Speaker 1: that guys can actually, you know, earn money. It's not 290 00:13:48,679 --> 00:13:50,400 Speaker 1: like free money, like you know, you have to go 291 00:13:50,520 --> 00:13:51,920 Speaker 1: do it and you have to work for it. And 292 00:13:51,920 --> 00:13:54,319 Speaker 1: I don't think there's anything wrong with someone being able 293 00:13:54,360 --> 00:13:57,200 Speaker 1: to uh be paid to go work and do something, 294 00:13:57,320 --> 00:13:58,800 Speaker 1: you know, whether they want to go home and run 295 00:13:58,800 --> 00:14:01,240 Speaker 1: a camp at their high school or you know whatever. 296 00:14:01,800 --> 00:14:04,960 Speaker 1: I just think that there's no uniformity and it's created 297 00:14:05,000 --> 00:14:08,600 Speaker 1: a lot of chaos. Um, there's no from state to state, 298 00:14:08,640 --> 00:14:12,200 Speaker 1: it's different. Um. Certainly, anytime you have an opportunity you have, 299 00:14:12,320 --> 00:14:14,959 Speaker 1: you know, people try to manipulate the situation and use 300 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:17,240 Speaker 1: it for the wrong reasons and things like that. So 301 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:20,440 Speaker 1: definitely everybody's having to deal with that. But my bigger 302 00:14:20,480 --> 00:14:24,960 Speaker 1: concern is that you can have some young people, um, 303 00:14:25,280 --> 00:14:28,280 Speaker 1: really lose their focus and get distracted by short term 304 00:14:28,320 --> 00:14:30,080 Speaker 1: money because at the end of the day, it's very 305 00:14:30,120 --> 00:14:33,160 Speaker 1: short term money, and you know, the next thing, you know, 306 00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:36,520 Speaker 1: you're you're not focused on the long term value again 307 00:14:36,560 --> 00:14:40,240 Speaker 1: of your education and graduation and really developing the tools 308 00:14:40,240 --> 00:14:42,960 Speaker 1: you need as a man, you know, development as a player, 309 00:14:43,160 --> 00:14:45,600 Speaker 1: all those type of things. Um. So I think there's 310 00:14:45,600 --> 00:14:47,920 Speaker 1: a lot of pitfalls that have to you know, you 311 00:14:47,920 --> 00:14:50,720 Speaker 1: have to be aware of and have the right people 312 00:14:50,760 --> 00:14:53,760 Speaker 1: around you, have the right resources in place, which is 313 00:14:53,800 --> 00:14:56,120 Speaker 1: what we try to do to help you educate our guys. 314 00:14:56,160 --> 00:14:58,160 Speaker 1: But I don't think there's any question it will lead 315 00:14:58,200 --> 00:15:01,480 Speaker 1: to um some young people, you know, missing out on 316 00:15:01,560 --> 00:15:05,360 Speaker 1: some opportunity and probably making some bad decisions along the way. 317 00:15:05,520 --> 00:15:08,520 Speaker 1: That's Tabo Sweenie, head football coach for the Clemson Tigers. 318 00:15:08,640 --> 00:15:11,120 Speaker 1: When we return, Coach Sweeney and I discussed a player 319 00:15:11,160 --> 00:15:13,920 Speaker 1: coach relationship and why coach believes it's so important that 320 00:15:13,960 --> 00:15:24,320 Speaker 1: as players know we love them. Welcome back to the 321 00:15:24,320 --> 00:15:27,680 Speaker 1: Reform Sports Project podcast. We're coach Sweeney and I left off. 322 00:15:27,760 --> 00:15:29,480 Speaker 1: We were about to dig into the importance of the 323 00:15:29,520 --> 00:15:32,080 Speaker 1: player coach relationship as well as what kids should be 324 00:15:32,160 --> 00:15:35,880 Speaker 1: looking for as they're trying to become college athletes. You're 325 00:15:35,920 --> 00:15:39,360 Speaker 1: definitely known for your leadership, obviously, it's a living legend 326 00:15:39,440 --> 00:15:42,280 Speaker 1: coaching wise. And you know, there's a famous quote that 327 00:15:42,320 --> 00:15:43,720 Speaker 1: I found that I want to read to. It's one 328 00:15:43,760 --> 00:15:45,920 Speaker 1: of your quotes again and and this is something I've 329 00:15:45,960 --> 00:15:48,600 Speaker 1: tried to dissect this in my parenting and my own coaching, 330 00:15:48,640 --> 00:15:49,920 Speaker 1: and I'm gonna read it to you and I'm gonna 331 00:15:49,920 --> 00:15:51,480 Speaker 1: ask you about it. And it says, the key to 332 00:15:51,560 --> 00:15:54,840 Speaker 1: coaching is love. It's not knowledge, it's not discipline. If 333 00:15:54,880 --> 00:15:57,280 Speaker 1: you love them, you can discipline them. If you love them, 334 00:15:57,320 --> 00:15:59,520 Speaker 1: you can yell at them and then laugh about it later. 335 00:15:59,720 --> 00:16:01,560 Speaker 1: You know, I read that and I'm like, godly that 336 00:16:01,680 --> 00:16:03,680 Speaker 1: that's that helps me as a parent. I get it. 337 00:16:03,760 --> 00:16:05,840 Speaker 1: I happen to, you know, play college sports, and I 338 00:16:05,880 --> 00:16:07,800 Speaker 1: know what it's like to feel that bond, that love 339 00:16:07,920 --> 00:16:10,640 Speaker 1: with a coach, um, and to feel loved by a coach. 340 00:16:10,800 --> 00:16:12,280 Speaker 1: But a lot of people here love and they think 341 00:16:12,280 --> 00:16:13,840 Speaker 1: of love for a child, they think of love for 342 00:16:13,880 --> 00:16:16,160 Speaker 1: their spouse. What does it mean? Can you what does 343 00:16:16,160 --> 00:16:18,760 Speaker 1: it mean when you're a coach and you love your players? Like? 344 00:16:18,800 --> 00:16:21,200 Speaker 1: Can you kind of talk about that a little? Well? 345 00:16:21,240 --> 00:16:23,680 Speaker 1: I think, you know, the the greatest form of love 346 00:16:23,760 --> 00:16:26,440 Speaker 1: is discipline. If you love your players, then you're gonna 347 00:16:26,440 --> 00:16:30,400 Speaker 1: tell them the truth number one, regardless of just what 348 00:16:30,440 --> 00:16:33,120 Speaker 1: they want to hear not. You're you're going to, you know, 349 00:16:33,440 --> 00:16:35,880 Speaker 1: not look the other way when you know they're not 350 00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:37,920 Speaker 1: doing what they're supposed to do. You know, you're gonna 351 00:16:37,960 --> 00:16:41,240 Speaker 1: have discipline and accountability. And then more importantly, you're gonna 352 00:16:41,280 --> 00:16:43,640 Speaker 1: have relationship. You know, you're gonna you're gonna get to 353 00:16:43,680 --> 00:16:47,720 Speaker 1: know them on a level beyond just to feel I 354 00:16:47,760 --> 00:16:50,800 Speaker 1: think that's very important, Um. And if the players really 355 00:16:50,800 --> 00:16:53,080 Speaker 1: know that you care about them and that you love them. 356 00:16:53,120 --> 00:16:55,720 Speaker 1: And then it's demonstrating that. It's not just saying that, 357 00:16:55,800 --> 00:16:59,200 Speaker 1: it's it's demonstrating that by the people you surround them with, 358 00:16:59,720 --> 00:17:02,840 Speaker 1: the sources that are made available to them, the things 359 00:17:02,880 --> 00:17:05,080 Speaker 1: that you expose them to, the things that you talk 360 00:17:05,160 --> 00:17:07,640 Speaker 1: to them about, the messaging that you have. I think 361 00:17:07,760 --> 00:17:09,800 Speaker 1: every time you're in front of your team, there is 362 00:17:09,840 --> 00:17:13,720 Speaker 1: no waste of time, There is no meaningless time. It 363 00:17:13,840 --> 00:17:16,760 Speaker 1: is every time you're talking to a young person, it 364 00:17:16,880 --> 00:17:20,000 Speaker 1: is so important. Uh. And so all of those things 365 00:17:20,040 --> 00:17:23,280 Speaker 1: I think demonstrate the love of the person, uh, not 366 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:25,800 Speaker 1: just you know, making it about your ball, you know 367 00:17:25,920 --> 00:17:28,919 Speaker 1: so and again, if you love them and they know that, 368 00:17:29,280 --> 00:17:32,240 Speaker 1: then then they're gonna let you coach them. Um, and 369 00:17:32,280 --> 00:17:35,080 Speaker 1: they're gonna understand you know that everything that you're doing 370 00:17:35,200 --> 00:17:37,600 Speaker 1: is coming with good intentions and it's coming from your heart. 371 00:17:37,840 --> 00:17:42,320 Speaker 1: And I think just like our kids. Uh, you have children, 372 00:17:42,880 --> 00:17:47,040 Speaker 1: you know, you don't always like your children, uh you know, 373 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:50,280 Speaker 1: but we always love them, right, And I think that's 374 00:17:50,320 --> 00:17:52,919 Speaker 1: that's the key. I mean, you know, there's gonna be 375 00:17:53,000 --> 00:17:56,359 Speaker 1: times where you know, you may not necessarily like that player, 376 00:17:56,920 --> 00:17:58,959 Speaker 1: or they may not necessarily like you. At a moment. 377 00:17:59,160 --> 00:18:01,760 Speaker 1: But if you are connected with love, you're going to 378 00:18:01,880 --> 00:18:04,639 Speaker 1: grow through that and uh and get better. Coach, I 379 00:18:04,680 --> 00:18:06,560 Speaker 1: want to ask you this one last thing because a 380 00:18:06,600 --> 00:18:08,680 Speaker 1: lot of youth athletes, like I said, in sports parents 381 00:18:08,720 --> 00:18:10,840 Speaker 1: will listen to this. But what would be some advice 382 00:18:10,880 --> 00:18:13,320 Speaker 1: you'd give for young athletes who look up to these 383 00:18:13,400 --> 00:18:16,240 Speaker 1: high level college players. You know, kids are watching highlights 384 00:18:16,240 --> 00:18:18,920 Speaker 1: and they're watching Clemson play. You know, what can young 385 00:18:18,960 --> 00:18:21,600 Speaker 1: athletes learn from watching and what should they be paying 386 00:18:21,600 --> 00:18:24,479 Speaker 1: attention to to not only become the best athletes they can, 387 00:18:24,560 --> 00:18:27,119 Speaker 1: but the best people they can. Yeah, I mean I 388 00:18:27,160 --> 00:18:31,160 Speaker 1: think that there's plenty of great examples. Unfortunately, the bad 389 00:18:31,200 --> 00:18:33,919 Speaker 1: examples get a lot of the press, and so you know, 390 00:18:34,119 --> 00:18:37,240 Speaker 1: I think the biggest thing is really study those who 391 00:18:37,240 --> 00:18:40,879 Speaker 1: have had long term success. Uh. You know, That's one 392 00:18:40,920 --> 00:18:42,680 Speaker 1: of the things I love to do. Like what made 393 00:18:42,800 --> 00:18:46,719 Speaker 1: Kobe Bryant so successful for so long, Michael Jordan's you know, 394 00:18:46,920 --> 00:18:49,880 Speaker 1: on and on and on. You know, Tom Brady. They 395 00:18:49,920 --> 00:18:52,919 Speaker 1: all have these characteristics to them. The best of the 396 00:18:53,000 --> 00:18:56,560 Speaker 1: best have certain characteristics. Regardless of what they do, they 397 00:18:56,600 --> 00:18:59,920 Speaker 1: all have those characteristics and you can study that, you know, 398 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:03,160 Speaker 1: and you know, don't get don't get caught up in 399 00:19:03,200 --> 00:19:06,399 Speaker 1: the outcomes, you know, focus on what it takes if 400 00:19:06,440 --> 00:19:08,800 Speaker 1: you really want to be great. And everybody will say, oh, 401 00:19:08,840 --> 00:19:10,080 Speaker 1: they want to raise their hand and they want to 402 00:19:10,119 --> 00:19:12,399 Speaker 1: be great at something. They want to really do something, 403 00:19:12,440 --> 00:19:14,560 Speaker 1: and so you have to set the goals to do that. 404 00:19:14,840 --> 00:19:17,880 Speaker 1: But here's the thing. Your commitment, your daily commitment has 405 00:19:17,920 --> 00:19:20,280 Speaker 1: to be greater than whatever goal you have. If your 406 00:19:20,280 --> 00:19:23,280 Speaker 1: goal is to make it to college sports, then your 407 00:19:23,359 --> 00:19:26,400 Speaker 1: daily commitments have to be greater than the goal. All right, 408 00:19:26,440 --> 00:19:29,040 Speaker 1: It's just that simple. So many people want to do things, 409 00:19:29,080 --> 00:19:31,840 Speaker 1: but they're not willing to do what it takes. You know. 410 00:19:31,960 --> 00:19:35,000 Speaker 1: You see a lot of stuff on TV and you 411 00:19:35,040 --> 00:19:37,960 Speaker 1: see this this outcome, you see this moment, you see 412 00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:41,480 Speaker 1: this player or whatever, but there's an enormous amount of 413 00:19:41,520 --> 00:19:44,520 Speaker 1: work that goes in that people don't see, you know, 414 00:19:44,680 --> 00:19:47,160 Speaker 1: And so it's I would say to all those young 415 00:19:47,160 --> 00:19:49,760 Speaker 1: people is first of all, be involved, you know, surround 416 00:19:49,760 --> 00:19:52,800 Speaker 1: yourself with the right people, have good friends, Be excellent 417 00:19:52,880 --> 00:19:54,840 Speaker 1: in everything that you do, because I think how you 418 00:19:54,880 --> 00:19:56,919 Speaker 1: do anything is how you do everything, Like be a 419 00:19:57,000 --> 00:20:00,800 Speaker 1: person of excellence, not just in your sports, in your relationships, 420 00:20:00,840 --> 00:20:03,920 Speaker 1: in your school work, you know, in everything, in serving 421 00:20:03,960 --> 00:20:07,320 Speaker 1: your community, become a leader, don't don't sit around and 422 00:20:07,359 --> 00:20:10,960 Speaker 1: wait to be let you know, be respectful, Um, you know, 423 00:20:11,080 --> 00:20:14,040 Speaker 1: respect authority. Uh. Those are all things that I think 424 00:20:14,080 --> 00:20:17,520 Speaker 1: you should growing up, are very very important. And then again, 425 00:20:17,600 --> 00:20:20,200 Speaker 1: get your house in order, get your academics in order. 426 00:20:20,320 --> 00:20:23,720 Speaker 1: Understand that this social media world that you're growing up in, 427 00:20:24,560 --> 00:20:28,359 Speaker 1: whatever you you know, you're responsible for your words and 428 00:20:28,640 --> 00:20:30,760 Speaker 1: your pictures that you post and all those things. And 429 00:20:30,760 --> 00:20:33,480 Speaker 1: and here's the thing. Those things aren't going away. So 430 00:20:33,680 --> 00:20:37,879 Speaker 1: you're posting something at fourteen, guess what, when you're twenty four, 431 00:20:37,960 --> 00:20:40,080 Speaker 1: it's still gonna be there and you're gonna be held 432 00:20:40,119 --> 00:20:43,200 Speaker 1: accountable for what you did. Is unfortunately, that's just the 433 00:20:43,240 --> 00:20:46,680 Speaker 1: world we live in. And so you know, really understand 434 00:20:47,080 --> 00:20:49,280 Speaker 1: the bigger picture. And then you know, you've got to 435 00:20:49,280 --> 00:20:52,080 Speaker 1: put the work in. There's no substitute for work ethic, 436 00:20:52,520 --> 00:20:55,280 Speaker 1: nothing's gonna happen. It's as I always tell our players, 437 00:20:55,320 --> 00:20:59,960 Speaker 1: it's way more gone than its shock, you know, And uh, great, 438 00:21:00,040 --> 00:21:02,480 Speaker 1: that's don't gonna sell. You've gotta you've gotta put the 439 00:21:02,520 --> 00:21:06,560 Speaker 1: work in. Uh be a young personal character. Uh you 440 00:21:06,600 --> 00:21:10,000 Speaker 1: know what you're doing when nobody's watching. Is that something 441 00:21:10,040 --> 00:21:13,359 Speaker 1: that that you're proud of. What separates the best of 442 00:21:13,440 --> 00:21:17,320 Speaker 1: the best is they're great when nobody's watching. It's when 443 00:21:17,359 --> 00:21:20,560 Speaker 1: the stands are empty. That's when championships are one. Now 444 00:21:20,680 --> 00:21:23,480 Speaker 1: everybody shows up on game day. So again it goes 445 00:21:23,520 --> 00:21:27,000 Speaker 1: back to your daily commitment being greater than whatever goal 446 00:21:27,119 --> 00:21:31,359 Speaker 1: you have, and studying those who have been consistently great, 447 00:21:31,520 --> 00:21:34,240 Speaker 1: you know, not not a not a one time thing 448 00:21:34,240 --> 00:21:38,000 Speaker 1: here there, but consistently over and over and over again. 449 00:21:38,240 --> 00:21:41,080 Speaker 1: Those are the type of characteristics that you want to 450 00:21:41,080 --> 00:21:44,200 Speaker 1: study and you want to emulate. And then the last 451 00:21:44,200 --> 00:21:47,240 Speaker 1: thing I'll say is, don't ever get caught up and 452 00:21:47,320 --> 00:21:50,560 Speaker 1: being the best. Just get caught up in being your best, 453 00:21:50,800 --> 00:21:53,040 Speaker 1: because when you try to be the best, you start 454 00:21:53,080 --> 00:21:55,119 Speaker 1: comparing yourself to other people, and I think that's a 455 00:21:55,200 --> 00:21:57,600 Speaker 1: very dangerous thing. What you need to learn to do 456 00:21:57,760 --> 00:22:00,240 Speaker 1: is take what God gave you and make the best 457 00:22:00,280 --> 00:22:03,240 Speaker 1: of it and and work every day to be your best. 458 00:22:03,560 --> 00:22:06,439 Speaker 1: And if you can focus on being your best and 459 00:22:06,600 --> 00:22:10,320 Speaker 1: everything that you do, then eventually you're gonna become your best. 460 00:22:10,720 --> 00:22:13,840 Speaker 1: And maybe your best is good enough to be the best. 461 00:22:13,840 --> 00:22:16,680 Speaker 1: Who knows, But if you're not committed to being your best, 462 00:22:16,880 --> 00:22:19,199 Speaker 1: you'll never know. So those a would be some of 463 00:22:19,200 --> 00:22:21,399 Speaker 1: the things that I would say to the young people 464 00:22:21,440 --> 00:22:24,600 Speaker 1: out there. And then also, man, enjoy your journey, have 465 00:22:24,800 --> 00:22:27,919 Speaker 1: some fun. And and then I would I couldn't not 466 00:22:28,040 --> 00:22:30,520 Speaker 1: answer the question without, you know, speaking to my faith, 467 00:22:30,600 --> 00:22:33,879 Speaker 1: and the Bible says in jeremiahlen for I know the 468 00:22:33,880 --> 00:22:36,680 Speaker 1: plans I have for you to plans for good, not disaster, 469 00:22:36,880 --> 00:22:39,159 Speaker 1: plans to give you a future to hope. So what 470 00:22:39,320 --> 00:22:41,439 Speaker 1: that verse says to me is that there's hope in 471 00:22:41,480 --> 00:22:44,080 Speaker 1: the future, and there's power in the present to deal 472 00:22:44,119 --> 00:22:47,360 Speaker 1: with whatever situation you're dealing with. And so you've got 473 00:22:47,359 --> 00:22:48,960 Speaker 1: to have a great you've got to be able to 474 00:22:49,040 --> 00:22:52,119 Speaker 1: dream big and you know, have a vision for what 475 00:22:52,320 --> 00:22:54,879 Speaker 1: you want your future to look like. And envision is 476 00:22:54,880 --> 00:22:57,680 Speaker 1: a function of your heart. So really put your heart 477 00:22:57,720 --> 00:23:00,240 Speaker 1: into whatever it is you're doing, and truly true, really 478 00:23:00,280 --> 00:23:03,040 Speaker 1: truly have a vision for it, believe it, and then 479 00:23:03,080 --> 00:23:05,600 Speaker 1: you kind of go put the work in and you 480 00:23:05,680 --> 00:23:07,159 Speaker 1: got to do it day in and day out. And 481 00:23:07,200 --> 00:23:09,520 Speaker 1: when you have a setback, when you had the disappointment, 482 00:23:09,520 --> 00:23:11,480 Speaker 1: when you have university, when you have a coach that 483 00:23:11,560 --> 00:23:13,879 Speaker 1: you feel like hasn't doesn't seem the greatness in you. 484 00:23:14,080 --> 00:23:16,760 Speaker 1: Guess what You've got to continue to believe you can't 485 00:23:16,760 --> 00:23:19,320 Speaker 1: ever quit uh. And if you can live by those 486 00:23:19,359 --> 00:23:22,960 Speaker 1: things um and treat capable, roll as you as you 487 00:23:23,040 --> 00:23:25,800 Speaker 1: go along your journey, then when it's all said and 488 00:23:25,800 --> 00:23:29,160 Speaker 1: you'll be you'll be happy with what you accomplish. Coach Sweeney. 489 00:23:29,280 --> 00:23:31,920 Speaker 1: Dabo Sweeney to Clemson Tigers. I cannot thank you enough, 490 00:23:31,960 --> 00:23:34,160 Speaker 1: sir for coming on taking your time. I'm truly humble, 491 00:23:34,200 --> 00:23:38,560 Speaker 1: truly grateful. Thank you so much. Coach Pleasure. That's Tabo Sweeney, 492 00:23:38,640 --> 00:23:41,439 Speaker 1: head football coach for the Clemson Tigers. Thanks for listening 493 00:23:41,520 --> 00:23:44,760 Speaker 1: to the Reformed Sports Project podcast. Dominic Bodicourt and Our 494 00:23:44,800 --> 00:23:47,360 Speaker 1: goal is to restore a healthy balance and perspective in 495 00:23:47,400 --> 00:23:51,120 Speaker 1: all areas of sports through education and advocacy. For updates, 496 00:23:51,160 --> 00:23:54,440 Speaker 1: please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or check 497 00:23:54,440 --> 00:23:57,240 Speaker 1: out our website by searching for the Reform Sports Project