"It will just bring joy to you": Dabo Swinney celebrates President Jim Clement’s viral graduation moment with daughter Grace

Coach Dabo Swinney, who delivered the commencement speech at the ClemsonLIFE graduation ceremony on April 26, celebrated the widely shared moment between President Jim Clements and his graduating daughter, Grace.

The Clemson University captioned the clip:

“Amazing Grace Clements, the youngest daughter of President and First Lady Clements. Grace's hug (and tackle!) was full of heart-and a perfect reminder of what makes Clemson so special.”

Swinney described the scene where Grace tackled her father on stage and recalled seeing Grace jump into her dad's arms at the earlier LIFE ceremony.

Swinney felt the stage play was a spirited repeat that "didn't quite stick the landing".

“I think they were trying to replicate that at the end; it just didn't quite stick the landing the way they wanted,” Swinney said.

“And I don't know if you saw it, but Today's show had Beth and Jim and Amazing Grace, as we call her,” he said. “And I'm going to tell you, I thought it was if you haven't seen that segment on the Today Show, it's one of the best things that you should watch and see. I mean, it will just bring joy to you.”

Expand Tweet

Swinney has known the family since 2013, observing Grace "blossom" within the ClemsonLIFE program, which supports students with intellectual disabilities seeking independent living and employment.

Jim Clements, who hit the turf in the joyful collision, described it as "pure joy".

“She walked the stage, and I hit the turf,” Clements said. “I wouldn’t change a thing. It was pure joy.” [Timestamp - 2:29]

The powerful daddy-daughter moment between Jim Clement & Grace drew online attention

Following the brief exchange between Jim Clements and his daughter Grace, college football fans commented:

“Grace, your dad is not butterfinger. It was your dress that didn’t let him catch you. Didn’t they always hold you to their hearts? Keep making your parents feel proud and special. Congrats Clemsons!!! Congrats Amazing Grace ❤,” a fan commented.

“Saw the family interview on television this morning. Thank you for sharing this loving, wonderful video. It made my day making me smile and cry at the same time. Definitely a perfect inspiration for everyone,” another wrote.

“A love story of a different kind ❤,” another wrote.

"Daddy's ❤,” a fan wrote.

“The best thing I've seen in so long. 🧡💜,” another wrote.

Also Read: When Dabo Swinney surprised his equipment manager with Super Bowl tickets

About the author

Mohammad Asif Ansari is a journalist covering college football and basketball at Sportskeeda. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Technology and brings four years of experience as an NFL and EdTech writer.

While acknowledging the dominance of professional leagues like the NBA and NFL, Asif is drawn to the raw energy and unpredictability of college sports, particularly football and basketball.

Jalen Hurts stands out as Asif's all-time favorite college player, celebrated for his remarkable success on the football field and impressive leadership skills.

In his reporting, Asif seeks to capture the essence of college athletics, delving into the human stories behind the game. From the trials and triumphs of student-athletes to the strategic genius of coaches like Nick Saban, he strives to paint a vivid picture of the college sports landscape.

Asif ensures that his reporting is both informative and ethically sound, meticulously verifying sources and facts to provide readers with reliable and trustworthy content.

When not writing, Asif practices basic MMA, hones his biking skills and expands his language proficiency in Urdu and Arabic.

Know More

Clemson Tigers Fan? Check out the latest Tigers depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.

Edited by Bhargav