Clemson tries to explain Christian Wilkins' striptease dance at Ladies Clinic
Clemson held its annual Dabo Swinney Ladies Clinic over the weekend. It was an event that reportedly raised more than $350,000 for breast cancer research, but that’s not what has garnered the most attention.
A video from the event surfaced showing defensive lineman Christian Wilkins performing a striptease-style dance for one of the attendees. At one point, he rips off his shirt, grinds the floor in front of the woman, who is seated in a chair, and then drapes his leg over her shoulder.
Video of Wilkins made the rounds on social media, including among South Carolina fans:
So this is the benefit of being a booster for Clemson….. pic.twitter.com/OKOS7kNRYx
— Zack🐔 (@USC_Zack) July 21, 2018
What is Clemson’s explanation?
According to The State, Wilkins’ dance was part of the “Dancing with the Tigers” segment of the event. Ross Taylor, Clemson’s sports information director, said what Wilkins did was “not indicative of what was actually going on.”
Clemson Sports Information Director Ross Taylor said the video showed part of the afternoon program, a segment called “Dancing with the Tigers.” Taylor told The State that the 55-second video of Wilkins dancing was not a reflection of what happened throughout the event. He did not comment on the specific actions in the video.
“I think what’s been going around is certainly not indicative of what was actually going on,” Taylor said, pointing out that other performances were not as racy. “Clelin (Ferrell) was dancing with his mother out there. I think the winner was swag surfing. That video that’s going around is certainly not indicative of what was going on the whole day.”
Another part of the event was a ‘body building pose off’
Another part of the event, a “body building pose off” with players in rolled up gym shorts, also made the rounds on social media.
Scandalous. Someone should write a story about dudes in gym shorts. But I hope they never go to a pool. Or a gym. Or out in public. pic.twitter.com/UvvxJFsl22
— David Hood (@MDavidHood) July 24, 2018
Taylor said that was part of a strength and conditioning part of the event.
From The State:
Unable to bring heavy equipment from the weight room onto the floor of the basketball arena where the Ladies Clinic was held, the participants improvised with a bodybuilding competition.
“They were looking for a visual representation of the strength and conditioning program. They did a body building pose off,” Taylor told The State. “Very similar to really any body building contest you’ve seen — tasteful, fun, allowing the guys to be representations of the hard work that’s done with the strength and conditioning program.”
The event marked the 10th annual Ladies Clinic. Approximately 3,000 women were in attendance.
Great day with over 3,000 Clemson Ladies at this years Ladies Clinic 🐅🏈 pic.twitter.com/o1Le0sw08f
— Coach Jeff Scott (@coach_jeffscott) July 21, 2018
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