“FRFF complains that the team attended a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) breakfast where three players spoke, Swinney organized privately funded buses to take the team to church, and the coach scheduled team devotionals. In 2012, Swinney facilitated a baptism during practice for former wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. The foundation demands Clemson terminate its relationship with chaplain James Trapp, a former Clemson player.”

The atheist Freedom From Religion Foundation (FRFF) has complained to Clemson University that its football coach “is entangled with religion” in violation of the separation of church and state.

Dabo Swinney has coached the Clemson Tigers since 2008, when he told reporters his secret to success was to “put your eyes on the Lord in everything you do.” His Tigers won the Orange Bowl in January, leading to his new eight-year contract worth more than $27 million.

FRFF complains that the team attended a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) breakfast where three players spoke, Swinney organized privately funded buses to take the team to church, and the coach scheduled team devotionals. In 2012, Swinney facilitated a baptism during practice for former wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. The foundation demands Clemson terminate its relationship with chaplain James Trapp, a former Clemson player. FFRF contends Trapp is a paid state employee using university resources for proselytizing. But Trapp is the Clemson director of FCA, not a university employee, according to The State. His official football title is “Volunteer Team Advisor.”

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