Navy assistant’s son gets support from Clemson
Tigers send encouragement for Jarren Jasper’s recovery
Jarren Jasper became a Clemson football fan last January.
The youngster attended the Football Bowl Subdivision national championship game along with his father – Navy offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper. They were the guests of former Navy defensive coordinator Buddy Green, whose son is a member of the Clemson football support staff.
Jarren Jasper, who was an eighth grader at the time, donned a Clemson hoodie since he was sitting in the Clemson cheering section for the showdown with top-ranked Alabama. He was thrilled when the Tigers scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to upset the Crimson Tide, 35-31, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
Seven months later, Jarren is facing the fight of his life after doctors discovered he had a rare heart condition. The 14-year-old has been diagnosed with Supraventricular Tachycardia — an abnormally fast heart rhythm arising from improper electrical activity in the upper portion of the vital organ.
On Monday, Ivin and Donna Jasper learned their son will likely need a heart transplant. Jarren, who will be a freshman at Broadneck High this fall, remains hospitalized at Children’s Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Todd Green, director of football video operations at Clemson, has been aware of Jarren’s situation since the heart abnormality was initially discovered during a routine physical on June 27. Ivin Jasper and Buddy Green worked together for 15 years at Navy and remain close.
“I’ve been praying for Jarren ever since my father told me what was going on,” Todd Green said. “When word came that Jarren was going to need a heart transplant, I wanted to do something special to help raise his spirits.”
Green stopped into the office of Clemson coach Dabo Swinney to inform him of Jarren Jasper’s medical condition and to ask if it would be OK to send the teenager a gift, such as a jersey with his name on the back or a signed helmet.
Swinney suggested that Green tape some messages of encouragement that could be sent to the Jasper family and showntoJarren. Swinney, whohas become a folk hero in parts of South Carolina after leading Clemson to just the second national championship in program history, took time to personally record a video to uplift the youngster.
“Hey Jarren, this is Coach Swinney from Clemson, I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to meet you when you came for the national championship game. I’ve seen a couple pictures of you sporting the Tiger paw, which is great,” the ninth-year head coach said by way of introduction.
“Todd Green told me what you’re going through and I just want to lift you up. Some day you’re going to get through this, you’re going to get to the other side of this storm that you’re going through in your life. Just keep the faith, stay strong and know that you have a lot of people pulling for you,” Swinney said.
Ivin Jasper, who has taken a temporary leave of absence in order to support his son, was blown away upon learning of the Clemson football videos in support of Jarren.
“I don’t know Dabo personally, but everything I had ever heard about him was that he was a terrific person,” the elder Jasper said. “What he and Todd Green did for Jarren, unsolicited, was incredible. Donna and I were incredibly appreciative and we can’t wait to show them to Jarren.”