CLEMSON — Clemson football quarterback Tait Reynolds, like many people born in 2007, didn't know who Wally Pipp was.
So he was confused when Clemson coach Dabo Swinney mentioned the New York Yankees first baseman from 101 years ago during the Tigers' 37-0 win against Charleston Southern.
Reynolds got his leg rolled up in the third quarter, and Trent Pearman replaced him for a few plays. Reynolds wanted to re-enter immediately, but Swinney wanted him to sit and wait. Then, Pipp's story came up.
"It was quick because I was kind of mad," Reynolds said Oct. 20. "You saw me kind of limping; my leg got rolled up on. I see Trent running out ... so I come out there. I'm like, 'I'm going back in.' Then he (Swinney) starts telling me the story. I don't know who that guy is."
Pipp was one of the best hitters in the dead-ball era, but he is remembered as the player who sat out one game in 1925 with a headache and lost his starting job to Lou Gehrig. Pipp never got it back, and Gehrig began his then-record streak of 2,130 consecutive games played.
"I was just like, 'That’s great, man, but put me back in, like right now,'" Reynolds said.
Reynolds and Clemson (4-2, 2-1 ACC) host Virginia Tech (5-2, 2-2) on Oct. 24 (7 p.m., ESPN).
Why Dabo Swinney told Tait Reynolds the Wally Pipp story
Swinney said the Pipp reference was playful banter while he managed a competitive freshman who wants to play no matter what.
Swinney said he brought up the story because Reynolds played played baseball at Queen Creek High School in Arizona and could play baseball for the Tigers once the football season ends.
"He was a little mad at me, but he was gimpy," Swinney said after the game. "He goes, 'I'm going back in next play.' I said, 'No, you're not. You'll go back in when I put you in.' We had a little discussion, and then he said, 'No, I'm going; I'm fine.' And I said, 'No, you're gonna sit right here.'
"I said, 'Have you ever heard of Wally Pipp?' ... I said, 'I may never put you back in.' We had a little back-and-forth about the Wally Pipp story, and then put him back in."
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Swinney said Reynolds played his "best game by far" against Charleston Southern, and that he only passed for 127 yards due to drops and poor play from Clemson's pass-catchers. He said Reynolds missed what could've been a 60-yard touchdown pass up the seam in the second quarter. But overall, Swinney thought Reynolds was the most settled he's been as a Tiger.
Tait Reynolds seeks to be more aggressive rusher
Ahead of the Charleston Southern game, Swinney challenged Reynolds to be a better rusher. Swinney thinks Reynolds did that against the Buccaneers.
Reynolds rushed for 40 yards and had 5.7 yards per carry, both career highs. Reynolds said his hesitancy to rush has been a "mental thing" and that he wants to break that mental barrier down.
"I think it's something that I need to continue to work on," Reynolds said. "It's something that I have. I lost a little bit, just kind of the aggressiveness, and I think I need to get that back."
Reynolds might be leaned on more against Virginia Tech. The Hokies have one of the ACC's best run defenses at 87.4 yards allowed per game, which means the Tigers might need Reynolds to make more plays through the air and with his legs.
"I touch the ball every play, so it's always my responsibility to go out there and get it done," Reynolds said. "I trust the guys around me ... I'm just gonna get through it and do what I'm coached to do."
Nick Coppola covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA Today Network. Email him at ncoppola@usatodayco.com, follow him on X @Nick_Coppola__ and like his Facebook page at Nick Coppola, Clemson Sports.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: How Dabo Swinney confused Clemson QB Tait Reynolds with Wally Pipp reference