ClemsonTigers.com Exclusive: Fans Did Not Mind Waiting to Meet their Favorite Tigers

CLEMSON, SC – Cory Norwood said the three-hour wait to meet Clemson players Tajh Boyd, Andre Ellington, Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins was well worth the wait because he wants his two-year old son Alex to share in his passion.

“I have to make him a Clemson fan,” said the Easley, SC native. “I want him to love Clemson like I do.”

Norwood and his wife Heather were not the only ones waiting in line to meet the 2012 Clemson Tigers. More than 20,000 people gathered at Memorial Stadium Sunday as Clemson hosted its Annual Fan Appreciation Day.

“This is unreal,” Boyd said. “It shows you how passionate our fans are and how much they care about us. We really appreciate them. This is a way to show all of them that.”

The Tigers showed all of that by posing for pictures, signing autographs and shaking hands.

“I’m not one for autographs and that kind of stuff, but I like to shake the players’ hands and tell them how proud I am of them and thank them for representing our university in a positive light,” said Tony Guthrie of Pelzer.

Guthrie was one of nearly 100 people that gathered early Sunday morning and tailgated outside the WestZone all day. The group coordinated the tailgate through a social media network on Facebook.

“We only allow Clemson people into the group,” he said. “No Gamecock fans are allowed. It’s a positive board. There is no negative talk about a coach or a player. This is just another way for a bunch of Clemson fans to get together and fellowship and be positive.”

There were a lot of positive vibes going around Death Valley about the prospects of the 2012 season, which will begin on September 1 when the 14^th-ranked Tigers play No. 25 Auburn in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic at Atlanta’s Georgia Dome.

“I think it is going to be a very good year,” Guthrie said. “Yes, the offensive and defensive lines are rebuilding, but I think we have enough weapons to make up for that. I think we are going to surprise a lot of people.

“People need to be patient with this team because they probably will have their ups and downs because they are young, but I think this is going to be a good team.”

Norwood thinks the team is looking good too.  He says the Tigers are going all the way again in the ACC.

“They are going to win the ACC Championship, again, and maybe the National Championship,” he said.

And if all that happens, you can bet Norwood will be proud he brought his son to Fan Appreciation Day to meet the defending ACC Champions.

“These guys are the best,” he said. “I love these guys. Andre Ellington and Sammy Watkins are my two favorite players in college football. They are all good people. I just sat here and talked a little bit and they are so genuine. And Tajh Boyd, he is an excellent guy. He is so nice. I have been a fan of his since that day when he came in for Kyle Parker and kept on fighting.”