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Like the Phoenix: Out of defeat comes a steely resolve

Related Topics: Phoenix (mythology)

GLENDALE, AZ – The media left the pressbox following Monday night’s College Football Playoff National Championship, and an elevator malfunction forced a quick trip down the stairs to the team locker rooms. As we navigated the stairwells, full of Clemson fans, a weak cadence count broke out, but it had no energy or joy.

I paused to wonder….what would the locker room be like? A sometimes distasteful part of the job is having to interview distraught players and coaches and force answers they don’t want to give. Would there be tears? Would we be able to get any answers after the painful 45-40 loss to Alabama, a game that Clemson gave away more than Alabama took outright?