D.J. Swearinger calls out South Carolina program for timing of 2010-13 reunion: 'Do better'
D.J. Swearinger had some eyebrow-raising comments on social media on Saturday, as members of South Carolina’s 2010-2013 football teams are to be honored at halftime of South Carolina-Jacksonville State at Williams-Brice Stadium.
The Gamecocks’ teams at the start of the 2010s were considered the best in program history: a 42-11 overall record (including 3 straight 11-2 records), a No. 4 postseason ranking in 2013, and an SEC East championship in 2010. Players from those years gathered for a reception on Friday and were set to be honored at halftime of Saturday’s game, with Steve Spurrier scheduled to give remarks.
Swearinger, a 2nd-team All-SEC pick in 2012, was a key part of South Carolina’s backfield during those years. And he had some interesting thoughts about why the athletics department chose to honor his teammates in a game against a Group of 5 opponent (and one in its 1st year in FBS, no less):
Talking bout y’all honoring the BEST team in school history @ halftime against a none sec school nor a power 5 school?! No disrespect but Respectfully y’all got us F’ed Up! Out of all the game you chose that?! Do better S. Carolina like wtf. We Legendary, so treats us as such! ??♂️
— DJ Swearinger (@JungleBoi_Swagg) November 4, 2023
Some replies mentioned that the rivalry game against Clemson on Nov. 25 would have been a better choice. Regardless, what’s done is done, even though it’s a choice that hasn’t proven popular with one of the program’s core players from their golden years.