Kelly, Swinney question no families at playoffs

Notre CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dame’sBrianKellyandClemson’s Dabo Swinney both expressed concerns about playing a College Football Playoff semifinal game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California onNewYear’sDay if players’ families aren’t allowed to attend.

Kelly evenwent as far as to say “I’m not sure we’ll play in the playoffs if the parents can’t be there.”

TheRoseBowlannounced earlier this month that due to COVID-19-related restrictions put in place by the state of California no fans will be allowed at the game.

The coaches’ comments came during a videoconference call Friday on the eve of the ACC Championship game in Charlotte, North Carolina between the second-ranked Fighting Irish and the No. 4 Tigers.

“Why would we play if you can’t have families at thegame?” Kelly said. “If you can’t have families at bowl games, whywould you go to a gamewhere your families can’t be part of it? What’s the sense of playing a game in an area of the countrywhere nobody can be part of it?”

Swinney suggested the game should be moved to another location if families aren’t allowed to attend.

“Whether we’re in (the game) or whoever is in it, I don’t care, itmakes no sense tometo put a put a bunch of kids on a plane and fly them all the way to California to play in an empty stadium,” Swinney said. “That makes zero sense when you have plenty of stadiums where you can have fans, and most importantly, you can have families.”

Swinney pointed out that each family receives a $2,500 stipend to attend games and that the families of all four playoff teams should have the same opportunity to watch the game in person. The other CFP semifinal game will be played Jan. 1 at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The College Football Playoff national championship will be Jan. 11 in Miami Gardens, Florida.