In the end, it was much ado about nothing.
Earlier today, reports surfaced that Clemson would be hit with a two-practice penalty by the NCAA for wearing a non-approved uniform during the first two days of camp.
However, after further deliberation, the NCAA decided the Tigers “can have the full compliment of practices during the preseason,” Clemson Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips said.
Head coach Dabo Swinney made light of the incident while also stating the program did not intend to break NCAA regulations.
“We’ve got what I’m calling Girdle Gate going on around here,” Swinney said. “If you’re robbing a bank, you certainly wouldn’t invite the media to cover it, so there was obviously no intent to break a rule.
“You can turn on the TV or Internet and find a lot of high-profile universities that wore the same exact attire we had on for the first two practices. But I’m not going to argue the ruling.”
The “attire” in question was a padded girdle worn underneath their shorts. During the acclimation period, which lasts five days, teams are only allowed to wear shorts and a jersey.
Swinney told the media that he had no idea who turned the school in.
