Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford is doing lots of listening right now.
Clifford taking on more in wake of Floyd’s death
From C.J. Thorpe to Lamont Wade, Penn State players have been vocal in recent days about the protests and demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis. Perhaps the most visible Nittany Lions player, quarterback Sean Clifford, shared his thoughts earlier this week in a conference call.
Clifford has been watching it unfold throughout the world, and he also has been listening to teammates such as Wade and Thorpe. “The whole situation is a very difficult one. This time that we’re in as a country is an interesting one as well — I think long overdue, honestly,” Clifford said. “From a team perspective … what I tell the guys and what I’ve told them from the start is … it’s all rooted in love. And I love every single one of my teammates.”
Football players can only do so much, and social injustice goes back long before Penn State existed. Clifford believes such an acknowledgement is important.
“I think that it’s good that this is starting to come to light. You know, the situation is terrible, but it is good that we’re starting to feel this as a country,” Clifford said. “It’s been exhausting, to be honest with you, but I think that it’s good that it’s been exhausting because we’re finally feeling what it’s like to be an African American in our society.”
Clifford’s on-field dreams include guiding the Penn State program to its elusive eighth national title. People in the program believe Clifford, who threw for 23 touchdowns and 2,654 yards last season, can satisfy the desires of an insatiable fan base like Todd Blackledge did in 1982 and John Shaffer in 1986.
If there is football in 2020, it will mark Kirk Ciarrocca’s first season as offensive coordinator at Penn State. The COVID-19 pandemic has ruined the opportunity for Ciarrocca to see his quarterback throw in person. But the two have been working through video chats and phone conversations. Ciarrocca has noticed the leadership traits that could make 2020 unique.
“The one thing Sean has is, he wants to be great,” Ciarrocca said. “He’s very eager to learn new things, new approaches,
new ways to see a situation. He’s very open to learning. I’m just excited to see him apply what he’s learned and his experiences, and let’s go from there.”
Clifford is working on his craft at home in Cincinnati with his brother Liam, who verbally has committed to Penn State for the class of 2021. Having his brother at home has helped him work on the intricacies of the passing game.
“With improved footwork and a good solid platform will come better accuracy, which [Ciarrocca] thinks that I have a very good capability of having. I am very confident in that, too,” Clifford said. “And with better footwork, better platform, being able to drive the ball better off my last step, off the hitch step, I think that’s going to pay dividends throughout the year.”
Once games start, the team will focus even more on Clifford. His voice and demeanor will set the tone for the rest of the players, and he’s trying to do that for topics away from football as well.
“I try to vocalize that my upbringing is different,” he said. “I think my teammates understand that. As I said before, it all goes back to love, and the love I have for this team and the love I have for these guys.
“I don’t know what it’s like to be African American. I don’t know what it’s like to be an African American in this culture. I don’t have to deal with what they go through every day.”