Former Clemson player takes shot at Dabo Swinney after terrible Syracuse loss

Jeff Hauser

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Former Clemson player takes shot at Dabo Swinney after terrible Syracuse loss image

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Xavier Thomas has shared his feelings about the Clemson Tigers this season. After his alma mater lost its Week 4 matchup at home to Syracuse, there was some clear frustration. 

Clemson hasn't improved, falling to 1-3 on Saturday after their second straight loss. But this one hurt a lot more than the opening season loss to LSU or the last-second shocker at Georgia Tech. Thomas took to social media with a simple message.

"At this point, it's not even an upset anymore," Thomas posted on X after Clemson's loss.


Thomas, an All-ACC player for Clemson from 2018 to 2023, never felt this level of defeat. Four straight ACC titles and three College Football Playoff appearances during his time. 

Thomas set the record straight with a business approach. 

"Not once would I ever & have ever spoke down on Dabo," Thomas posted on X. "But, the Standard will always be the Standard, & it's not being upheld."

Swinney had a different tone before the Syracuse game. "If they tired of winning, they can send me on their way because that's all we've done is win," Swinney said. "We've won this league eight out of the last 10 years. Is that not good? I'm just asking, is that good? I don't know if that's good or not. To go to the playoffs seven out of 10 years, be in four national championships, win it twice?

"I mean, if Clemson's tired of winning, they can send me on my way, but I'm gonna go somewhere else and coach. I ain't going to the beach. Hell, I'm 55. I got a long way to go. Y'all gonna have to deal with me for a while. ... I'm just getting going. I'm just now good enough to be a head coach. I'm just now figuring it out. So, we'll be around a while."

Clemson has a bye week before a matchup with Bill Belichick and North Carolina on Oct. 4.

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Jeff Hauser

Jeff Hauser is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has over twenty years of experience and is a two-time Emmy Award winner, Heisman Trophy and Biletnikoff Award voter. Among the events he has covered are the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff, World Series, World Cup, and WBC Boxing. Hauser is a regular guest on FOX Sports and ESPN Radio. He previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, SB Nation and Athlon Sports.