Clemson Coach Swinney gives teenager biblical advice for life

Dabo Swinney, who coaches one of the top college football programs in the nation at Clemson University, has always been bold about sharing his faith. On a radio show earlier this week, he shared his advice with a 15-year-old who called in.

“The most important thing is you were created on purpose,” he said. “You have a thumbprint. There are billions of people in this world, and you are the only one with your thumbprint. And God intended it to be that way, so you are the only one that can leave the imprint that he has given you.

“If you will build your life on a foundation of faith, then you will know true peace and happiness. If you build it on anything else or seek happiness in anything else, then you are going to always be let down.”

He talked to the teen about reading the Bible and how God will bring peace during times that seem hopeless.

“One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Jeremiah 29:11,” Swinney said. “When I was 15, there was a lot of anxiety and like, `What is my future and how am I going to do this and that?’ But Jeremiah 29:11 says, ‘For I know the plans I have for you.’ Not that I think I know. God says, ‘For I know the plans I have for – not everyone – for you.’ Those are plans for good, not disaster. Plans to give you a future and a hope.”

Swinney is known for sharing his faith after successful football games. When Clemson won its second national title in 2019, he gave credit to God.

“You can’t write a Hollywood script like this,” he said. “Only God can do this, and that’s a fact. And people may think I’m crazy or a quack or whatever, but only God can orchestrate this. But I’m just telling you if I can do it and those Clemson Tigers can do it, anybody can do it if you just have a belief in yourself and what you are doing and you surround yourself with great young people that are passionate about winning.”

–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice