One year ago today, Bobby Bowden, former head coach of the Florida State Seminoles passed away.
As a little boy in Tallahassee, Florida, I remember when Florida State hired Bobby Bowden in 1976 as the head football coach from West Virginia University. FSU had previously been an abysmal team and I remember going to games with my dad and regularly being beaten by 30 plus points.
I remember attending one game with my dad Mike and mother Judy in 1976. A running back named Larry Key was leading the Seminoles to a win. It was late in the 4th quarter and the FSU Marching Chiefs and student section had pulled out their keychains and were shaking their keys in honor of Larry. The next week, I had a number 44 jersey and my first “favorite player.”
That win was rare prior to his arrival but FSU would finish 5-6 that year; more wins than the previous 3 seasons combined. In the 1979 song, “The Ballad of Bobby Bowden” written by Murray Goff (a Princeton graduate) and performed under the moniker, ‘Murray and the Gator Getters’, it is said, “When he came to Tallahassee, the only good thing was the band.”
In 1977, I remember the Seminoles beating the arch-rival Florida Gators 37-9. My parents, two of their friends, Jo Ellen and Curtis Falany, and I cruised Tennessee street with me holding up a sign Jo Ellen had made for me. It said, “37-9 ‘Nuf Said!” Hanging out of the car window and waiving the sign drew roars of approval from the crowd lining the street. Eventually that crowd poured onto Tennessee street and closed it for the celebration. (Photo of Bobby Bowden being carried off the field after that game accompanies this post)
In 1979 and 1980, I would mourn two consecutive losses to Oklahoma University in the Orange Bowl. In a true twist of fate, I spent my freshman year of college at Oklahoma in the fall of 1987 and spring of 1988.
My teenage years revolved around FSU football. Thanks to season tickets with mom and dad (both FSU graduates), I was there for memorable moments like the day Deion Sanders showed up in a limo, tux and tails for his first appearance as “Prime Time.”
Every fall, my life ebbed and flowed with FSU football. I died with every loss. Got spoiled with every 50-point win. The Seminole program was as close to a dynasty in the 1990s as you could get. Watching players like 1993 Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward, linebacker Derrick Brooks and many others caused many celebrations at my house and barbs from friends.
I remember when people couldn’t pronounce the name, “Chris Weinke.” I also remember many jokes around his name. Poor guy must have gone through heck in middle and high school.
Many people were upset when Coach Bowden was “forced out” in 2009. His last game was in the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida in 2010 when he coached against his former West Virginia team. It was a wonderful celebration of an astounding career.
Coach Bowden was hospitalized in late June and struggled to regain his strength. Coach and Ann, his wife of 72 years announced Wednesday July 21, 2021, that the legendary coach had been diagnosed with a “terminal condition.” Without further information, the family asked for privacy and did not disclose the details of the condition.
We learned later it was pancreatic cancer. Today, Seminole fans all over the globe are mourning the passing of Coach Bowden on the 1st anniversary of his death.
Bowden posted a 316-97-4 record with two national titles (1993 and 1999). He had one losing season – 5-6 during his first year at the school. His teams finished in the top 4 of the Associated Press national football polls for 14 straight years from 1987-2000. Under his leadership, FSU had 32 straight winning seasons.
A native of Birmingham, Alabama, he won 377 games during his 44-year college coaching career to rank fourth all-time behind John Gagliardi (489), Joe Paterno (409) and Eddie Robinson (408).
Rest easy Coach Bowden. In the words of Bob Hope, “Thanks for the memories.”