Dabo Swinney got called out for wearing an insensitive T-shirt during an emotional time. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Trevor Lawrence defends Dabo Swinney's 'Football Matters' T-shirt

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 6/7/20

Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney continues to make matters worse for himself amid the protests surrounding the death of George Floyd, racial injustice and police brutality.

The 50-year-old not only remained silent while many college coaches across the country spoke out against racism, but when he did release a statement, it wasn't a good one. Former Tigers also called out Swinney for not taking action when one of his staff members used a racial slur.

Among the other tone-deaf things he's done, Swinney also was seen wearing a "Football Matters" T-shirt on Saturday in a since-deleted tweet.

It appears the tweet was deleted. Here you go. pic.twitter.com/wwcuEWZ8dh
— Elika Sadeghi (@elikasadeghi) June 6, 2020

This, apparently, wasn't the first time Swinney wore the shirt, though, or even made the statement printed on it. In a statehouse speech following Clemson's 2016 national championship, he used it as a way to celebrate the title.

Current Clemson star quarterback Trevor Lawrence defended Swinney with a tweet on Sunday and noted the coach has worn the shirt for a long time now, insisting it's not to mock the "Black Lives Matter" movement.

Coach Swinney’s shirt, in any way, is not mocking the Black Lives Matter movement. He has been wearing the shirt for months in meetings.
— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) June 7, 2020

Regardless of what the shirt's true meaning is, it's definitely tone-deaf, and Swinney shouldn't be wearing it during such an emotional time, if at all.

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