Former Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd sat amongst the Tigers’ current players as head coach Dabo Swinney brought up Boyd’s former wide receiver, Sammy Watkins, on a facetime call. Watkins had a special announcement for Boyd; he was Clemson’s newest football Hall of Fame selection.
Then, in a surprise twist, Coach Swinney gave the rest of the news to his team and his two former players. Watkins would be enshrined alongside Boyd. It was a moment of joy for both players that drew raucous applause from the team.
Sammy first addressed Tahj.
“Clemson family, man,” said Watkins. “I would like to welcome you into the Clemson Hall of Fame, bro.”
Sammy Watkins
Boyd could not contain his smile as the Clemson great, now a member of Swinney’s coaching staff, received a round of cheers. But the moment was not done. There was another surprise in store as Dabo addressed his squad.
“You can’t be a Hall of Fame quarterback unless you have a Hall of Fame receiver,” stated Swinney. “So, Sammy, I want to congratulate you on being inducted into the Clemson football Hall of Fame.”
Dabo Swinney
Both former Tigers will be formally inducted into the Hall of Fame this fall as one of Clemson’s home football games. It is a fitting bookend for a dynamic duo that took the college football world by storm during their playing days as the first catalysts that helped start the Tigers’ run of dominance that culminated with two national championships in 2016 and 2018.
It was Boyd and Watkins, among many others, who laid the framework for those who followed.
“Ya’ll are at special place,” explained Watkins to Clemson’s current players. “It helped me be an all-around better person and better man.”
To the team Boyd added, “I’m so honored to have worn that paw and I’m so excited for what you are going to do in the future. Just thankful for you guys and I appreciate you.”
Tajh Boyd
The connection between Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins was special. In their years together on the field, which ended in a thrilling Orange Bowl victory over Ohio State in January 2014, the numbers put up between them were stagging. Boyd connected with Watkins on 237 completions for 3,368 yards and 27 touchdowns.
Passing the ball to Watkins, Boyd racked up a 71.4 percent completion percentage and a quarterback rating of 180.4. In their time, it was arguably the best quarterback and wide receiver duo in the country.
Now, quarterback and receiver will be immortalized in Clemson football history together. It could not happen any other way.
