CLEMSON, S.C. -- In the aftermath of allegations by some South Carolina players that Clemson players used racial slurs before their game last week, Tigers offensive lineman Jay Guillermo offered a figurative olive branch to the Gamecocks and coach Dabo Swinney attacked the media for its coverage of the story.
While Clemson has vehemently denied the allegations -- and some of the South Carolina players have since backed off the claims, suggesting that fans were responsible for the language -- Guillermo tried to mend fences.
South Carolina defensive lineman Dante Sawyer had tweeted his outrage regarding racism at Clemson after the game, but on Sunday he tweeted that Guillermo had reached out to clear the air.
with all the tension following the game @Jay_Guillermo57 reached out about the situation, received all my respect.
— Dante Sawyer (@BuzzSawww) November 27, 2016
Guillermo was asked about the conversation Tuesday and said he wanted to keep most of what was said private, but he said he assured Sawyer that Clemson was not a place that would tolerate racist behavior.
"We talked about it, and I let him know that's not what we do," Guillermo said. "If anything was said, that's not how we are, not what we are as an offensive line or as a team. We have a good culture here, and it's a classy culture. That's something Coach Swinney prides himself on. We do have good people here."
Swinney, meanwhile, said he is convinced his team didn't use racial epithets before the game. He's upset that the media picked up on the story, saying that journalists who covered the allegations showed "zero accountability" and "should be fired."
After Clemson beat South Carolina 56-7 on Saturday, Gamecocks defensive lineman Bryson Allen-Williams said an unnamed Tigers offensive lineman had used a racial slur, and several of his teammates echoed those allegations after the game on social media.
On Sunday, Swinney was asked about the accusations and said he'd talked to his team and believed the story was "absolutely" false.
During his Tuesday news conference, Swinney was asked whether he'd had any communication with South Carolina coach Will Muschamp regarding the situation. Swinney used the opportunity to slam the media for the way the story was handled.
"I don't have a problem giving young people some grace," Swinney said. "Young people will say some things from time to time, emotional or whatever. Media people, I don't give them much grace. ... It's just like there's no credibility anymore. You don't need to confirm anything anymore. Just write it. ... Shoot first, ask questions later."