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I thought I was done writing about Clemson, but this story is too good to pass up (or not pass on!). One of Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney’s mottoes is “love conquers all.” He talks about loving the players: “We just try to love the players and equip them for life.”

One of the ways they are equipped emulates one of the ways Dabo Swinney was was equipped: Dabo and the players love their equipment manager. ESPN writes, “The toughest guy in Clemson’s football program is David Saville, the team’s equipment manager and the one who keeps Dabo Swinney in line.

“You can see ESPN’s excellent video here.

David was born with Down Syndrome, and the 5-minute video tells the story. He’s 27 now and has been Clemson’s equipment manager for 7 years. Where did Dabo learn to value those with Down Syndrome and make them part of the team? From his mentor Coach Gene Stallings who used to coach the University of Alabama. Coach Stallings had a son, John Mark, with Down Syndrome, and John came to practice every day. Dabo was a receivers coach there at the time. Watching Gene interact with his son had a profound effect on Dabo, and now he has a chance to pass that on to his players.

This is love that you can’t fake, and God honors that.

And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25.40, ESV)