FULL INTERVIEW WITH REGGIE MERRIWEATHER

Reggie Merriweather is a familiar name to Tigers football fans. In 2006, most of Death Valley was chanting "Reggie, Reggie" as the 4th quarter was winding down and Clemson was driving deep into SC territory. However, for the benefit of those who may be new Tigers football fans and to refresh the memory of the long-time fans, here is a brief bio: Reggie played for North Augusta High School (S.C.) and came to Clemson as a highly rated recruit after an outstanding senior season in which he rushed for 2580 yards and 29 TD's. Merriweather was named Player-of-the-year by several state newspapers and listed as the #27 RB in the nation by Superprep. After redshirting in 2002, he played in all 13 games in 2003 on special teams and had 16 carries as a tailback. In 2004, despite having only started six games, he finished the season with the most carries (136) and led the team in rushing yards (670), averaging 4.9 per carry. Merriweather scored 11 TD's in 2004, 3 of which came in a OT victory against then #10 Miami in the Orange Bowl and 3 more against South Carolina in the year of the infamous brawl.

In 2005, Reggie again started six games while James Davis started the other six. He gained 736 yards on 149 carries, averaging 4.8 per carry and had 7 TD's. Notable games included three 100+ yard performances in a row against Temple, Duke and Georgia Tech. Merriweather scored two TD's against MD that year with a 7.5 average yard per carry and 3 TD's against Duke. In 2006, Davis was the starter in all 13 games and freshman C.J. Spiller was also on the field along with Demerick Chancellor. However, despite the decreased workload, Merriweather averaged 4.2 yards per carry over the first 3 1/2 games and scored two TD's. It was in the second half of the fourth game against UNC that he suffered an ankle injury that kept him out of action for the next five games and even after healing, he had only five carries the rest of the way.

I got in touch with Reggie to speak with him about a variety of subjects, including "the" burning question about him being taken out of the game against SC in 2006 after three of those five carries mentioned above went for 23 yards. Here is the conversation:

JM: Following your senior year, you were signed as a free agent by the NFL's San Diego Chargers, reuniting with Clemson teammates LB Anthony Waters and QB Charlie Whitehurst. Tell us about that experience.

RM: It was a real honor and a privilege. Anytime you have a chance to do what you've dreamed about for fifteen some-odd years, it's an awesome feeling. To come in and play with some of the best players in the NFL, not to mention three of the best running backs you've ever seen, it's just kind of overwhelming. Being around Charlie and Anthony was great. Anthony and I played in the Shrine Bowl together, so we've known each other for a while. Charlie and I hit it off real good when we first met back in 2002 because he was dating one of my friends and so we had a lot to talk about. Actually, when I got there (San Diego), I knew half the rookies because I either played with them in the Hula Bowl or knew them from ACC or SEC games that Clemson played in. So it was fun and a tremendous honor. The only bad thing about it was that I was playing behind two Pro Bowl RB's and one of the fastest cats in the league in Darren Sprolles. I was there for about 6 months then got released the day before the first preseason game.

JM: Bring us up to speed on what you have been doing lately. You're living in Charleston now?
RM: I've basically been trying out for different teams and trying to figure out what I want to do as far as coaching, playing ball and what I want to do with my Human Resources degree. I am currently living in Charleston but will probably move back to Augusta at beginning of the year to follow up on some other options. In Charleston, I was coaching and teaching at James Island High school. Being a running back and knowing a lot of defensive schemes, I coached outside linebackers. I enjoyed being around younger kids and coaching them. I also enjoyed sharing old high school and college stories with them as well. I also coached with DeAngelo Bryant from Wake, Sean Grant from Citadel, and Marcus Lawrence from God-awful usc (laughs) but it was enjoyable and even though we were 3-9 we had a ball. Now that football season is over, I'm trying to figure out the next step. I still plan on trying out for the Canadian league. I actually had a contract but I turned it down for that AAFL deal that folded, so just trying to figure my next step.

JM: David Dunham mentioned that you and he still stay in contact and hang out. Are there any other former teammates that you are still tight with?

RM: I keep in touch with a lot of guys and try to stay updated with the team as much as possible. I still talk to C.J. Spiller, Chansi Stuckey, Sergio Gilliam, Will Proctor and a bunch of the guys. It's funny how people change with the times and lose contact but I'm one of those guys that if I know you then I know you. It's kind of like being in the army and having war buddies.

JM: Have you had the opportunity to attend games in Death Valley or follow the Tigers on the road since your playing days at Clemson?

RM: I've been to several games this year but none more memorable than Dabo's first win against the cocks! But yes, I've been to a few games to watch Spiller and Davis do their thing.

JM: You had countless big plays and big games during your playing career as a Tiger including 3 TD's against SC and 3 TD's against then #10 Miami in the Orange Bowl, both in 2004. What game stands out to you as your personal best and what win means the most to you?

RM: Every game was one to remember and I can't really think of one that meant more than the other. My whole career was a great one and I wouldn't change a thing. If I had to choose one to dwell on it would probably be the SC game in 2004. That game was so hyped up and it was really my first game against SC since I had gotten to Clemson and actually got a chance to show my stuff. It was the most memorable because of trash talk and a bunch of folks who said I couldn't play for Carolina and I'd never compare to SEC talent, so yeah it was a touchy game.

JM: I'm sure there were a few disappointing losses to you along the way as well. Any that stand out to you?

RM: That's one to dwell on. We lost a lot of games in my career but there are two that stick out the most: VT and SC- both in my senior season (2006). The only reason I say these games is because I didn't play. [Note: Merriweather in fact did not play against VT due to injury. However, he did have three carries in the SC game. I'm sure what he meant was that he didn't play much - he went in late in the 4th quarter and was yanked after 3 rushes gained an average of 7.7 yards per carry] I'm not saying if I did play, we would have won but when I signed with Clemson, I told Rick Stockstill [who recruited him] that I would give my all to Clemson- mind, body and heart. Just seeing my team struggle and knowing that I can contribute......it cut me even deeper when he [Bowden] took me out of the Carolina game. When we got into the locker room, he gave a speech and at the end he goes , "Can't win them all, guys". I about lost it. I forgive him for that but will never forget.

JM: Okay, since you brought it up, I have been wondering about this for over two years, so let's go back in time: You are a senior playing against SC in your final game in Death Valley. The Gamecocks have just kicked a FG to go up by 3 with just under eight minutes left in the game. The kickoff goes for a touchback. At this moment, you have no carries in the game. Sophomore James Davis has seven carries for 14 yards for a 2.0 yard average and Freshman C.J. Spiller has six carries for 116 yards for a 19.33 yard average. Finally, you get an opportunity and on the first play of this final, crucial series you run for 10 yards and a first down. On the very next play, you run for seven yards. C.J. then gets the next four carries, for 23, 9, -1 and 8 yards but on that last run has to leave the game with an ankle injury. On 1st and 10, you get the carry and run for six yards to the SC 17 yard line. So, at this moment, we have momentum, the crowd is going crazy and chanting your name and you have rushed three times for 10, 7 and 6 yards. You are then taken out of the game and replaced by James Davis, who gets four straight handoffs for 1, 3, 2 and -1 yards. Facing 3rd and 9 with only 27 seconds left, Proctor gets sacked for a 10 yard loss, which forced the failed FG attempt. After the game, there was a huge uproar by the fans who said you should have never been taken out. My question is, given the circumstances, did you question being taken out of the game and were you upset about it afterwards?

RM: The oh so dreaded question. Well, first off, the season for me was kind of a bust from the coaches stand point. When I signed with Clemson, they said I was going to be the only back they took but they ended up taking Duane Coleman also. For as long as I played at Clemson, I was behind some good backs but never got a chance to start a whole bunch. Not that it means a whole lot but when you're a senior and it's your last go-round, it has an affect on you. So, going into my senior year, coaches told me to lose 10 lbs. and come back to camp in the best shape of your life! I did that and more. I reported to camp weighing 203 lbs, running a 4.40 yard 40, benching 415 and squatting about 590! So I was amped. We had, to me, the best back-field in the nation. Imagine Reggie Bush, Mike Turner, and Edgerrin James in one backfield- (laughs) just nasty! That's how I viewed us. I had a great camp but sat in the back seat every game and didn't mind much because we are a team. I contributed and we won, so life was good. I didn't mind much until mid-season and the run game was non-existent. I mean, VT shut us down and so did a few other teams. After my injury earlier in the season, I cried and thought this was it. They tried to rush me back but my ankle was no good. I got healthy about the VT game but we got crushed and it was a long flight back to Clemson. That Monday morning I went and talked to Bowden about the running game and told him I felt hurt and wanted to help my team get out of this hole. After that, nothing changed. We still didn't run the ball, just put everything on Proctor's back and that didn't work out too well. But the Carolina game was hard. I dislike those guys with a passion. When he [Bowden] put me in, I was a man on a mission to conquer and win. When he took me out, I thought it was just for a breather and it surely wasn't. I tugged and pulled on his shirt a few times but he never turned around and looked at me. In the locker room after the game, after he was talking all week about winning and all that stuff, he says," Well, guys, we can't win them all." I about lost it! I was like, "Wow"! I can't believe he just said this, but who knows what would have happened if I would have stayed in. Ever since I was little, I just wanted a chance to prove that me, this little half-pint of a guy could do something big- that I could put Clemson football on my broad "Joey Batson-made" shoulders and take them to the promise land! I'd like to think I was a super hero or something. But yes, it was a heart-breaking game and a bad moment for me and I forgive but won't forget, so all is well.

JM: In 2005, you were credited with making the following quote: "They (fans and media) are seeing James Davis and other freshmen coming in and making a direct impact and forgetting about us". You went on to say that you hoped he and other freshman did have an impact because it would mean you were a better team. You were always a team player and an ambassador for the program but was there ever any tension, jealousy or resentment coming from either side between you and James Davis?

There has always been fight in me and I've always had something that I had to accomplish. The funny thing about life is that there is only a few special ingredients: hard work; perseverance, compassion and tenacity. I learned this when I was young from my dad. We have a wood furnace at home that we burn during the winter, so we'd always have to cut wood and stuff during the summer to get ready for winter. Sometimes we'd have to split the wood because it was too big for the furnance, so my dad is like cock diesel and can split wood with ease. I was a shrimp back in the day and couldn't even lift an axe. Once I could, he let me split a piece of hickory and it was so hard I couldn't crack it. He told me, once you start keep chipping away and if you are persistent, you will break it soon enough. I love competition and it's always been in our group. Burton Burns has always kept it in our room because competition breeds excellence! I love them boys, especially C.J. He's a man after Gods own heart and he's an awesome friend but no there no animosity there.

JM: This is somewhat of a follow up question: In 2006, Tommy Bowden was quoted as saying this about you: "He's in a position where it is tough to get three guys a whole bunch of work, but he's a guy that I would like to get more work, because there is not a lot of separation between him and the others (Davis and Spiller)". However, in looking back at just the first three games of your senior season before your injury, you had 17 carries while Davis had 57 and Spiller had 13. Did you express frustration or let Bowden or any of the other coaches know that you wanted the ball more or were you content to just try and make an impact when you did get it?

RM: I'm not a complainer and I don't say much. I let my playing and my attitude do my walking and talking. However, just as Jeff Davis told me one time: " You have four tires on your car and one of them is squeeking really bad. Which one are you going to pay more attention to? No, I didn't say much to the coaches- just Bowden.

JM: Give us your thoughts and opinions on the announcement of Dabo Swinney as Clemson University's new head football coach.

RM: I know it's a great fit for Dabo. Clemson needed change and he's the man with the plan. I have witnessed him first hand take control of the team and he's brought so much to the program already.

JM: Well, thank you, Reggie. I appreciate you taking the time to let all the Tigers fans catch up with you and we certainly wish you the best in whatever you decide to do in the future.