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Dabo Swinney’s Advice to 39-Week Pregnant Fan Before Clemson–LSU

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jeremy Lockett | Last updated Aug 20, 2025 11:15 AM ET

The buzz around Clemson football continues to build as the Tigers prepare for the 2025 season. Sitting at No. 4 in the first AP Poll, expectations are sky-high, and Head Coach Dabo Swinney joined the Gramlich and Mac Lain Podcast this week to talk about what it will take to meet that hype.

Hosted by Kelly Gramlich and Eric Mac Lain, both Clemson graduates and ACC Network analysts, the show has become a staple for ACC fans, mixing football analysis with lighter moments.

During their season preview episode with Swinney, one question turned from football to family in a way that had everyone laughing.

Gramlich, who announced earlier this year that she and her husband are expecting a baby boy in September, asked Swinney if he’d advise a fan—39 weeks pregnant—to attend Clemson’s massive Week 1 matchup against LSU.

“Absolutely, yeah, you would,” Swinney responded without hesitation. He even brought up a personal story: “My wife had Clay [our son] two and a half weeks after we spent the whole day at SeaWorld in Orlando with two little ones in a double stroller and Clay on the way. Come on, toughen up and let’s go.”

Gramlich laughed, saying she appreciated the encouragement. Swinney doubled down, adding, “What a great story that would be. We’ve got all kinds of doctors. There’s plenty of people. You can figure it out, and it’d be a great story.”

Not sure I’ll be taking Dabo’s advice on this one pic.twitter.com/c0N4JcQWFL
— Kelly Gramlich (@kellygramlich) August 19, 2025

That’s when Mac Lain jumped in with the punchline: “That’s what I said, coach. Surely that would be great headlines—former Clemson Tiger and ACC voice delivers baby at Clemson’s Death Valley.”

The exchange highlighted the kind of humor and personality that Swinney often brings to interviews. While the Tigers coach is focused on the challenge of LSU and a season loaded with expectations, he didn’t miss the chance to turn a lighthearted question into a moment fans won’t forget.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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