134 - Perry Tuttle Registered 134 Receptions for Clemson - Clemson Football Forum

WR Perry Tuttle (1978-1981) will forever be a Clemson legend! He was instrumental in Clemson’s 1981 National Championship. For What It’s Worth: Prior to his freshman season, Perry Tuttle was on the cusp of never playing a down of college football! The Post and Courrier describes Tuttle’s August 1978 story:

“Perry Tuttle waited until nightfall to escape. Under the cover of darkness, there would be no embarrassment, no one to witness his flight of shame.

He waited until midnight when the dorm quieted. The Clemson freshman, a big-play specialist who would wind up in the Orange Bowl end zone leading the Tigers to the 1981 national championship, packed his clothes and stereo into his 1974 Chevy Vega and drove north on I-85. He arrived at his parents' home in Midway, N.C., at 4:30 a.m.

He quit.

Football practice under Charley Pell and new assistant coach Danny Ford got the best of the young receiver in 1978.

"My dad came to the door," Tuttle said. "I told my mom and dad it's just not for me. My dad told me to get in bed, and as soon as you wake up, let's get you a job."

Around noon the next day, a car arrived at the Tuttle residence. The sedan door opened, and rising from the driver's seat was Tigers assistant football coach Buddy King.

"King showed up and said, 'What are you doing?' " Tuttle recalled. "We talked and I followed Buddy King back to Clemson in my '74 Vega. Even though I was embarrassed, even though I was confused ... it was not just my coaches, it was my parents, saying this is who you are, this is what you are all about."

https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/intense-practices-toughened-tigers/article_21d78a08-6a4f-5b31-979c-2b5f80c2a112.html

Tuttle’s First Clemson Touchdown:

Clemson fans are very glad Tuttle stuck it out! Wake Forest fans, however, might not be so happy about it. Being from Winston-Salem, Tuttle had some of his best performances against his hometown team – including his first touchdown! According to ClemsonTigers.com:

“In fact, a look to his career stats shows that he had at least one touchdown reception in each of his four seasons against Wake Forest, the only Tiger in history to catch a touchdown pass against the same school four years in a row.

He had 10 receptions at Wake Forest in 1980 for his career high and totaled a career-high 161 receiving yards against the Demon Deacons in 1981 as a senior. He finished his career with 23 receptions for 394 yards and five touchdowns against the Demon Deacons, his career-high totals against an opponent.

“People used to think I didn’t like Wake Forest and I just got fired up to play them,” said Tuttle. “But, that wasn’t the case at all. I like Wake Forest and their players. I had great games against them, because I had so many friends and family members in the stands. During my freshmen year, it seemed like my entire high school team and coaching staff came to that game in Winston-Salem.”

Tuttle responded with his first career touchdown on a 42-yard reception from Steve Fuller.”

https://clemsontigers.com/clemson-football-game-program-feature-perry-tuttle-30-years-later/

According to Sports’Reference.com, Perry Tuttle registered the following statistics at Clemson:

Perry Tuttle (1978-1981):
- 134 Receptions for 2,329 Yards (17.4 Average)
- 16 Receiving Touchdowns
- 11 Carries for 103 Yards (9.4 Average)
- 10 Kick Returns for 216 Yards (21.6 Average)

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/perry-tuttle-1.html

Tuttle’s Last Clemson Touchdown:

Tuttle’s last touchdown came against Nebraska in the Orange Bowl National Title game! According to ClemsonTigers.com’s 25th Anniversary of the 1981 Title program:

“Perry Tuttle was on the cover of Sports Illustrated the week following the Orange Bowl. It was the first of consecutive weeks with a Tiger connection on the cover. The following week, Dwight Clark was on the cover for “The Catch” in the 49ers’ NFC Championship game victory over Dallas.”

https://clemsontigers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/1981_national_championship-1.pdf

That Sports Illustrated cover has become a keepsake for all Clemson fans who still have a copy!

After Clemson:

According to Wikipedia, Tuttle enjoyed the following professional career:

NFL career
On April 27, 1982, Tuttle was selected in the first round (19th overall) of the NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills. Tuttle spent two seasons with the Bills, producing 24 receptions for 368 yards and three touchdowns. After his two seasons with the Bills, his career in the NFL took a major decline; while in Atlanta, he only played in five games which led to only minimal stat production, one reception for seven yards.

CFL career
In 1986, Tuttle began his six-season career in the Canadian Football League with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Throughout his time with the Bombers, he caught 321 passes for 5,817 yards and 41 touchdowns. On November 25, 1990, at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, the Bombers defeated the Edmonton Eskimos 50-11 to win the Grey Cup. In the third quarter of the game, Tuttle caught a 60-yard pass that later led to a five-yard touchdown catch. Two seasons after the Blue Bombers' championship win, Tuttle ended his football career and moved back to North Carolina (Charlotte). A few years after his retirement, Tuttle was once again recognized for his outstanding football talent with an induction into the Winnipeg Blue Bomber Hall of Fame.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry_Tuttle

More recently, Perry Tuttle’s son, Kanyon Tuttle played on the Clemson football team. According to ClemsonTigers/com:

Kanyon Tuttle couldn’t wait to show his father, former Clemson All-America wide receiver Perry Tuttle, his 2016 national championship ring…make that rings.

The day after he received the box with three rings (two national championships and one ACC championship), the wideout drove home to Charlotte, N.C., where he met “dear old dad” at home.

“He had his ring on and I had my 1981 national championship ring on, and we took a picture of the two together,” said Perry.

“With a smile on his face, he then said, ‘Dad, your ring looks like something you get out of a bubble gum machine.’

“We both had a big laugh. But it shows how times have changed. The three rings the guys got this year in that beautiful box are really impressive.”

https://clemsontigers.com/receiving-a-legacy/

Perry Tuttle has also become an author and a public speaker. In the video linked below, he talks about his life and he offers great advice.

In the video, Perry Tuttle describes the difficulties of growing up with a father who spent many weekends drunk and/or locked up in jail. It was tough, but he reconciled with his Dad before his Dad passed away.

Tuttle’s message: “Do all you can - while you can!”

Perry Tuttle also describes the time he was told that his eyesight was failing. Tragically, he was facing a future of blindness. With that news, he gathered his six kids around and asked them to tell him everything they wanted to tell him before things go blind for him. It led to experiences with each of his kids that he cherishes.

Tuttle’s message: “Do all you can - while you can!”

https://www.google.com/search?q=Perry+Tutle+My+dad+told+me+to+get+in+bed%2C+and+as+soon+as+you+wake+up%2C+let%27s+get+you+a+job.%22&sca_esv=f379c00181bfa713&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS858US858&sxsrf=ACQVn09PWIkNQr59Tb1sl68yWIlmSzC0Ag%3A1713410088095&ei=KJAgZtjHBfbKp84ProiuiAU&ved=0ahUKEwjY-5795cqFAxV25ckDHS6EC1EQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=Perry+Tutle+My+dad+told+me+to+get+in+bed%2C+and+as+soon+as+you+wake+up%2C+let%27s+get+you+a+job.%22&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiW1BlcnJ5IFR1dGxlIE15IGRhZCB0b2xkIG1lIHRvIGdldCBpbiBiZWQsIGFuZCBhcyBzb29uIGFzIHlvdSB3YWtlIHVwLCBsZXQncyBnZXQgeW91IGEgam9iLiJIAFAAWABwAHgBkAEAmAEAoAEAqgEAuAEDyAEA-AEBmAIAoAIAmAMAkgcAoAcA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:8d8d8dc2,vid:-dAnKrP9jcc,st:0

Amen, Mr. Tuttle! Amen! Excellent advice for all of us!

As always, thanks to Scott Rhymer for these videos on Clemson legends. Here is the Tiger Pregame video look at Perry Tuttle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuDW_G-HNeg

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134 - Homer Jordan Threw for 134 Yards in 1981 National Title Game

Apr 19, 2024, 12:06 AM

Homer Jordan is and always be a Clemson legend. No matter how many National Titles Clemson wins in the future (and let’s hope it is a very high number), Jordan is the quarterback who led Clemson to its first national title! A special place in Clemson fan hearts for sure!

ClemsonTigers.com describes just how remarkable the 1981 championship is:

“The team did not receive a single vote in the AP preseason poll, yet it won the title at season’s end with a 22-15 victory over perennial power Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. No other school on record has gone from no poll points to the national title.
…
Perhaps the most significant in its impact on the college game involved quarterback Homer Jordan. The native of Athens, Ga. started all 12 games that year and became the first starting African-American quarterback on a team from the South to take a program to the national title. He was just the second African-American quarterback from any school to accomplish the feat. Sandy Stephens, a Pittsburgh, Pa. native who led Minnesota to the national title in 1960, holds the overall distinction

https://clemsontigers.com/homer-jordan-program-story/

This ClemsonTigers.com article describes how Jordan battled for the starting QB job. According to the article:

“There was a quarterback battle during 1980 spring practice between Jordan, Gasque and Andy Headen. The latter had a good spring and spring game, and at the end of spring practice, Head Coach Danny Ford named Headen the starting signal-caller.

If you look at the position listed for Jordan in the 1980 media guide, it reads defensive back.

But when camp opened in August, Ford decided to give Jordan another shot at quarterback. In the second scrimmage, one held on the practice fields and not in the stadium, Jordan ran the option flawlessly.

During the entire scrimmage, Jordan showed he had a sixth sense about when to pitch it and when to keep it.”

https://clemsontigers.com/homer-jordan-program-story/

The rest, as they say, is history! And, what history it is!! According to the same ClemsonTigers.com article:

Jordan’s rewards would come a year later in 1981. He started all 11 games during the 1980 season, taking a young Tiger team to a 6-5 record.

But in 1981, he would become the First-Team All-ACC quarterback, completing 55 percent (a good figure in those days) of his passes. He had 1,630 passing yards and 486 rushing yards directing the offense to 12 straight victories.

https://clemsontigers.com/homer-jordan-program-story/

According to Sports-Reference.com, Homer Jordan registered the following stats at Clemson:

Homer Jordan (1979-1982):
- 239 Completions for 3509 Yards
- 14 Passing Touchdowns
- 364 Carries for 925 Yards (2.5 Average)
- 11 Rushing Touchdowns

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/homer-jordan-1.html

Arguably his greatest performance, however, came in the January 1, 1982 Orange Bowl. Clemson’s perfect season and National Title hopes were on the line.

Before the Orange Bowl:

Clemson WR Perry Tuttle described his encounter with Homer Jordan the morning of the Orange Bowl. According to Sports Illustrated, Tuttle describes their discussion as follows:

"You know, at 7:30 this morning Homer came to my room and woke me up and said, 'I'm so nervous I can't sleep,' " said Tuttle. "I said, 'Homer, those big farm-boys are going to kill you.'

https://vault.si.com/vault/1982/01/11/year-of-the-tigers

During the Orange Bowl:

Once the game started, however, Homer Jordan displayed the same calm, cool demeanor he had shown all season. According to the same SI article, Perry Tuttle followed up the statements about Jordan’s nervous morning with comments about his focus in the game:

“But in the game he was so confident. I came into the huddle before the touchdown and Homer said to me, 'If they're in Coverage One [inside zone], run to the corner. If they're in Coverage Five [outside zone], hope that it doesn't get intercepted.' They were in One, I think, so I went to the corner. And there was the ball."

https://vault.si.com/vault/1982/01/11/year-of-the-tigers

Clemson Head Coach Danny Ford had actually tweaked his team’s plans before the game, which turned out well for Clemson. Again, according to SI:
“Which brings us to Homer Jordan, the versatile junior quarterback. Ford had intended to do a lot of set-up passing against Nebraska, which, he figured, didn't see much of it in the Big Eight. But that simply didn't work out.

"The one advantage I thought we'd have would be quickness," said Ford. "But I saw during warmups that they were just as quick as us up front. We couldn't set up. We had to sprint out."

Which was exactly what Osborne did not want. Before the game he had said, "I'd rather play against a set-up quarterback like Art Schlichter than a guy who sprints out and can run or pass like Jordan." Jordan did just that, by completing 11 of 22 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 46 yards.”

https://vault.si.com/vault/1982/01/11/year-of-the-tigers

In other words, Homer Jordan was responsible for 180 total yards (passing and rushing) in the Orange Bowl! Outstanding work, Mr. Jordan!

After the Orange Bowl:

Jordan did not exactly celebrate with his teammates after the game. Playing so many snaps in the Miami heat had taken a toll on him. According to ESPN:

"I don't know how many different ways to say it, but Homer was just a winner," said Cliff Austin, Jordan's roommate and the starting running back on that 1981 team. "No matter how good or how well he practiced, he was even better in the game. You just knew he was going to make something happen when we needed it the most."

Jordan, who earned offensive MVP honors that steamy night in Miami, remembers celebrating with teammates on the field in the jubilant aftermath of the Orange Bowl, but doesn't remember much of the night after that. When he got to the locker room, he was so dehydrated that he passed out and had to be administered IV fluids.

"The team was going to a big party, and I'm stuck in my hotel room with an IV," said Jordan, who first started to feel weak at halftime. "I didn't even ride the bus back to the hotel with the team because I was still receiving treatment.

"I had to ride back in a police car."

But what a ride it was.”

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32930708/the-legacy-homer-jordan-clemson-first-national-championship-1981

After Clemson:

According to Wikipedia, Homer Jordan enjoyed the following career and personal life after Clemson:

Professional career
After being drafted in the 1983 Territorial Draft by the Washington Federals of the USFL, Jordan played two seasons at QB for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League, signing a two-year contract on March 19, 1983. In 1984, Jordan completed 80 of 146 passes for 7 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and in 1985, Jordan completed 118 of 194 passes (60.8%), with 4 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. In his CFL career he rushed for 300 yards and four touchdowns. Jordan was a back-up quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in 1987, but did not attempt a pass.

Post Playing Career
Having returned to his native Athens, Georgia, Jordan served as an assistant football coach at his alma mater Cedar Shoals High School for 10 seasons, beginning in 2002. His son, Darius Jordan, also played quarterback at Cedar Shoals High School in 2013 and 2014. Homer Jordan married his high school sweetheart, Deborah Arnold and still resides in Athens.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homer_Jordan

According to Tigernet from 2014, Jordan also began running a detailing business.

https://www.tigernet.com/clemson-football/story/throwback-thursday:-homer-jordan-12762

And despite the tremendous success, he remains the same humble person today. According to ESPN:

“All these years later, Homer Jordan is amazed that anybody still remembers him.

But, then, that's Jordan, unassuming and humble, almost to the point of being uncomfortable when the subject turns to him and his role in Clemson's first-ever national championship four decades ago, and more specifically, his role in opening so many doors for those who came after him as the first Black starting quarterback to lead an FBS (then Division I-A) team to a unanimous national championship.

"I'm a laid-back guy. I don't like to be out front, and coming up, I was real shy," Jordan said. "But when I go back to Clemson's games, and a lot of the fans hang out in the same spots and look for you and tell the same stories -- stories that get better with time -- you walk by, and it's, 'Hey Homer!'

"You're sort of like, 'They still know me, gray hair and all?' But they do, and it's a good feeling."

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32930708/the-legacy-homer-jordan-clemson-first-national-championship-1981

We will always remember, Mr. Jordan! Always!

Scott Rhymer and The Tiger Pregame Show video recap on Homer Jardan:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zfqlk58OYHk

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