It has now been a month since Dabo Swinney led the #2 Clemson Tigers to a 44-16 victory against #1 Alabama Crimson Tide to garter their second National Championship College Football title in 3 years. The win was historic as it marks not only the first time Bama lost all season, but the largest margin of loss for Bama since Nick Saban became coach in 2007. And seeing that The Tide has taken home the trophy five times in the last ten years, all eyes were definitely on the Tigers to take down the once untakeable. With the game taking place way out in Santa Clara, California, most fans opted to stay home and watch the magic unfold on ESPN. But if your last name is Brice, staying home was never an option. Lee and Lewis Brice not only share parents and a passion for playing guitars and making music, they share the same color of blood: orange of course. And even when they are on the road packing out venues and selling records, their heart is always with Tiger Nation in Death Valley. SO it’s no surprise that when Clemson beat out #3 Notre Dame to advance to the finals, The Brice Brothers packed up dad, Lee’s ten year old son Takoda, lots of orange and white shirts and ballcaps and headed to California for the trip of a lifetime. Each brother even shared a picture on their Instagram of the touching family moment. We wanted to know just how #allIn the Brice family is when it comes to their Clemson Tigers. So we caught up with Lewis after the boys arrived home to Music City about the win, the quality time, and what he really thinks about Dabo Swinney.
CN: You and your brother Lee were born in Sumter, South Carolina. . . which all of us from SC know. . . that a) college football is not a choice. You must root for someone. and b) that someone must be either Clemson or Carolina. Obviously, you are a Tiger family. Describe what it was like growing up “bleeding orange” as we like to say. Did you ever, once, as an adult even, think about rooting for another team?
Lewis: Definitely born into a Clemson family. I’ve always been a Clemson fan, as far back as I can remember. My uncle was a weight lifting champion there, my dad had always been a fan, my brother went there, and I think my great-granddad was even a fan. The atmosphere there is magical, especially during the time when the leaves are changing. Great fans, and great tailgating. It’s awesome to see the success they’ve been having, they’ve built quite the team over the years and are still growing! I’ll bleed orange through and through… Go Tigers!!
CN: Your brother Lee got a scholarship to play for Clemson and after he sustained a career ending injury, he moved to Nashville to pursue music. When did you leave SC and come to Nashville? And did you ever want to play football or was it always about music for you, even as a kid?
Lewis: I was 23 when I moved to Nashville… I was actually finishing up my associate’s degree in general sciences. At one point I wanted to go to chiropractic school, but they changed the requirements as I got my 2-year. That’s when I decided to make a move to Nashville and test my feet in a new city. Within 2-3 weeks I was already writing songs and in a band, and from there I never really turned back. I did play football pretty much from elementary school all the way through high school, but never really thought of it as a career or college opportunity especially after I injured my neck my senior year. I absolutely love the game though, love watching the sport and still enjoy a good backyard game every once in a while, or on a beach.
CN: Clemson may be National Champions now, but they weren’t always on top. In fact, before 2016, the last National Championship they won was 1981. How has it been to watch Dabo take over and to watch them go from being an “okay” team (Ranked in the teens and 20s) to being ranked within the top 3 since 2015 to obviously being #1 now? What has helped get them there in addition to coaching? And what do you think Dabo did to change the mindset of the players and coaches?
Lewis: Definitely, I remember all the way back to Tommy West, then Tommy Bowden and when Dabo became interim coach. I was actually very excited when they made him head coach. At the time I paid a lot of attention to the recruiting, and he was one of the better recruiters, or at least you always saw his name alongside the big recruits. When he became head coach I felt he introduced a real youthful energy, great recruiting, strong belief in faith and family, and a will to grow through all the ups and downs. They’ve grown each year under his coaching and are currently firing on all cylinders. I also think the addition of Coach Brent Venables has been key to the transformation and success of Clemson becoming a dominant force in college ball and winning national championships. It’s a great time to be a Clemson Tiger!
CN: Dabo gets so much well deserved attention, not just for being a great coach and calling great plays. But he himself was such an underdog and has an incredible story of his college journey at Alabama. And when he started, he started as interim at Clemson, with no pro experience whatsoever. But in his heart, he knew he could take them to the top. What do you think that says to the world about anybody in an “underdog” position? What kind of influence is Dabo, as a man, having on the world right now, especially as a man of faith who constantly takes the spotlight off himself and gives it to God?
Lewis: I feel Coach Swinney is finally starting to break out of the whole underdog reputation. Even though he might like to keep it for motivation, he has worked so hard over the years and people are finally recognizing that! He’s built such a great program there from a “small little town in little ole Clemson South Carolina” into a national championship program in all aspects. He has always had the same message from day one, and I think his strong faith only shines brighter from the podium he’s now on. I love that he’s never afraid to stand up and speak out for what he believes in, and it’s easy to see his real and genuine energy translating to the team in their chemistry as players and values as people.
CN: Describe the atmosphere during a game at Death Valley—running down the field, touching Howards Rock, chanting the C-L-E-M-S-O-N song. How is it even wearing Clemson swag out now when you’re touring or in Nashville and running into other Clemson fans?
Lewis: It’s the most exciting 10 seconds in college football when 80-90 thousand people are chanting in coordination at the top of their lungs. The adrenaline can be felt, it’s electric and thunderous! And the belief that the power from touching a rock could sway the tides of the upcoming contest is absolutely awesome! I always carry some kind of Clemson swag with me to represent when I’m traveling, and have definitely have gotten a little more recognition for my Clemson hats and shirts over the past few years. Nashville actually has a very strong Clemson fan base. I feel like it keeps growing with every year!
CN: You were there at the Natty with your brother Lee, your dad, and your nephew Takoda. Tell me about sharing that moment with three generations of your family—the excitement on the plane ride, the ride to the stadium, how you felt about the game before it started. Talk about the Keith Urban parking lot party and the attitudes of both Clemson and Bama fans. Did you honestly think Clemson would pull off that win, and if so, what did you really think the score would be?
Lewis: I was very fortunate to be able to attend the National Championship game this year, and what made the trip so special is that I was able to go with my dad, brother and nephew. My dad had never touched the Pacific Ocean before, or even been to California, so he got to do that for the first time. Having my nephew there was crazy cool, and of course it’s always good times with my brother. So, three generations of Brice in the house. It was a quick trip but what a trip it was! I had the same feeling as two years ago when we beat Alabama. I felt like they could be beat, and I felt we had the team that would. I didn’t necessarily think it would be that much of a beat down, but we sure did! It was sweet redemption from last year for the fans, and especially for those defensive linemen for Clemson who decided to stay to do just that. The pre-show concert with Keith Urban was amazing, he is an incredible artist and truly an inspiration as a musician and songwriter, so it was a real treat to see him play. And I have to say that the Bama fans honestly were great, and seemed to take the outcome well, all things considered.
Daddy, me, Lewis, Takoda… Clemson Tigers.. True Champions. Bleeding Orange.. Family.. Ultra Special. pic.twitter.com/QQBQ9TkyEb
— Lee Brice (@leebrice) January 8, 2019
CN: How did this game especially affect your nephew Takoda? Even though he’s only 10, does he have any interest in playing for Clemson at all?
Lewis: I think it was a great time and a real cool experience for my lil buddy Takoda. It seems like he was able to see more of the game itself, and definitely the passion of the fans on both sides! He’s understanding the game a little better as he gets older, and he’s all about gettin’ loud for Clemson! A true Tiger in the making.
CN: We all know this game is more than just about the game. Not only did we win a Championship, Clemson is the first school to be undefeated. Trevor Lawrence set records as a freshmen quarterback. Many of them have high GPAs and got academic awards. It’s our 2nd championship in 3 years. It’s the worst game Alabama has lost during Saban’s reign, and the worst score of his college career. But it also just goes to show the power of perseverance, determination, teamwork, and the belief in yourself and in a higher power. How do you apply this to your own life? How does being a Clemson fan inspire you in your personal and professional growth? What do you want to tell the Clemson Family? What do you want to tell Dabo in particular and the team?
Lewis: I definitely think I can relate Clemson’s story over the years to my own journey. Even though I’m still making my way to that “natty” (a #1), I’ve seen solid and steady growth in my career from the very start. Of course it can be a struggle at times, but what isn’t? I fully believe in what I’m supposed to do on this earth (making music) and seeing the success of other talented artists out there just gives me even more motivation to make it to the top! So far I’ve been very blessed to see my stages only continue getting bigger and bigger, so I feel I must be doin’ something right. And, as Clemson does, it’s important to always keep it fun! Seeing “little ole Clemson” take down the mighty Crimson Tide by the biggest margin of Coach Saban’s career, two national championships in three years, a freshman quarterback starting mid-season and overcoming adversity to handle himself in such a professional manner, and a team that is such a driving force is very inspiring to me!
CN: What do you want to tell the Clemson Family? What do you want to tell Dabo in particular and the team?
Lewis: To the Clemson family – here’s to future trips to the big stage, through hard work, faith, and persistence!! Coach, you just keep on doing what you’re doing. You rock!! And to the Clemson Football team… keep the faith! Y’all are the best team in the nation!! Go Tigers!!
Go Tigers! We couldn’t have said it better ourselves! Our many thanks to Lewis for sharing his experiences with us! You can download Lewis’s new single, “Blessed”, and follow him on socials @LewisBrice. More info, including upcoming appearances, can be found at LewisBrice.com