In a nearly-14 minute video released on the official Clemson Tigers website on Monday (below), Dabo Swinney defended recent criticisms and addressed a variety of race-related conversations that have cropped up around his football program over the last week.
"I've always believed actions are louder than words, and I love our team for the actions they have already taken," Swinney said in his opening remarks. "This group of leaders on this team, they are ready to lead the way in being part of the solution for this country. I stand with my players, and I will help them any way I can to unify people and help create positive change."
After assistant coach Danny Pearman's use of a racial slur on the practice field in 2017 was made public last week, Swinney discussed the incident at length.
"I would fire a coach immediately if he called a player an n-word. No questions asked. That did not happen."