2015 Clemson vs Louisville Football Game
Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, who grew up in a Habitat for Humanity home, joined more than 100 teammates at a home build for the organization on Tuesday in Anderson.(Photo: SCOTT KEEPFER/Staff)Buy Photo
ANDERSON Despite being limited by a neck brace courtesy of his collision with a goalpost in Clemsons season-opening football game Mike Williams still managed to drive home a few nails Tuesday afternoon as the Clemson football team lent a helping hand to Habitat for Humanity.
Williams, a preseason All-Atlantic Coast Conference wide receiver, remains sidelined indefinitely, but became an active participant, if only momentarily, during the teams latest community service project.
He helped out just long enough to make his second reception of the season a barb lobbed his way by Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney.
I gotta get something out of you this fall, Swinney said, laughing.
Williams notwithstanding, Swinney got plenty out of his team Tuesday as more than 100 players and coaches converged on the Melrose Place subdivision in Anderson to assist in the construction of two single-family homes.
The day was particularly rewarding for sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson, who grew up in a Habitat home and has emerged as an active advocate for Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit, Christian ministry that helps build and provide affordable housing.
On Sunday Watson was presented with Habitat for Humanity Internationals inaugural Next Generation Award, which honors young people who grew up in a Habitat house and embody the qualities of determination, commitment, dedication and citizenship and for setting an example for other Habitat families.
On Tuesday, he was driving nails alongside his teammates.
The steady staccato of hammers in action and the whirr of saws provided a noisy and busy backdrop.
Buy PhotoClemson players lend a helping hand at Habitat for Humanity site Tuesday afternoon.(Photo: SCOTT KEEPFER/Staff)
Were just giving back and being grateful and thankful for what we have, said Watson, who contends that moving into his Habitat home at the age of 11 inspired him to do great things.
Its great to see these families smiles and know that they have a brighter future.
For Tyeisha Wright-Charlot, her daughter, and their black Labrador retriever, Chi Town, that future is promising. Wright-Charlot moved from California to the Upstate four years ago and works as a detention officer at the Greenville County Detention Center.
She went to a Habitat for Humanity home dedication a few years ago and left impressed.
I was inspired by it and it sparked me to put in an application, Wright-Charlot said. I had lost my husband the first year we moved here due to natural causes, and we were on the verge of just making ends meet. This has really been a blessing and yesterday was a wow moment.
And Wright-Charlot, who was a Fresno State fan in California, now may find herself cheering for Tigers rather than Bulldogs.
They probably won a fan over, she said.
Swinney says his team simply embraced the opportunity.
Its a very busy time of year and weve got a big game coming up, but I also think its the perfect time to take a break and keep things in perspective and teach these guys the power that comes from giving to others, Swinney said. Thats one of the best parts of our program. When guys leave here, theyve all had opportunities to serve other people, theyve all had opportunities to give back, and this particular event is great because they can really see the fruits of their labor. When we leave here there are going to be walls up.
Bottom line? Tuesday was a practice day, Swinney said, but of a different ilk.
Buy PhotoKevin Dodd of Greenville, a defensive end at Clemson, helps frame a wall Tuesday.(Photo: SCOTT KEEPFER/Staff)
Today is practice, but it is practice for life, Swinney said. We talk about developing leadership, and that servant leadership is what we really try to emphasize make a difference for other people. Today is a great lesson toward that.
And a big gain for Wright-Charlot and her family, which is expected to expand soon when she becomes a foster parent.
I do appreciate what theyve done, she said. Moving here and losing my husband has been a big transition for me. Now I feel like its my season. Im humble, yet grateful. G*d has opened up many doors for me.
And at least one more remains the front door of a four-bedroom, two bath home that is expected to be ready by years end, thanks to an assist from a bunch of football players.
You never know what type of impact these guys are having, Swinney said. And for them to really meet the people who theyre helping to change their lives thats powerful to put a name and a face with that.
They may drive by here years later and they can say, Man, I helped to build that. Its a powerful lesson for these guys.
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Source: http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/sports/college/clemson/2015/09/23/practice-life-clemson-football-team-lends-helping-hand/72690570/
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