Tributes pour in honoring Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden

The Florida State University football team honored their legendary coach, Bobby Bowden, on Saturday with a pregame ceremony.

The bowden bowl is a football game that took place in Florida State University’s stadium. In the game, Coach Bobby Bowden retired from coaching after winning his 323rd victory.

8:57 a.m. Eastern Time

  • Former-college-football-and-basketball-greats-celebrate-start-of-NIL

    ESPN.com’s Jeremy Willis

Bobby Bowden, the legendary Florida State football coach, died early Sunday morning, and the game lost one of its most illustrious figures.

From 1976 until 2009, Bowden was the head coach at Florida State, where he turned the Seminoles’ program into a national powerhouse. He won the national titles in 1993 and 1999, as well as two Heisman Trophy winners and a slew of All-Americans and NFL draft selections. In addition, he coached 357 games, which ranks second all-time.

Bowden was diagnosed with a fatal medical condition in July. He was 91 years old when he died.

In a tweet, former Florida State running back Warrick Dunn stated, “He was one of a kind.”

  • Longtime-Florida-State-football-coach-Bobby-Bowden-dies-at-91
  • Tributes-pour-in-honoring-Florida-State-football-coach-Bobby-Bowden

1 Related

His accomplishments, as well as his down-home Southern charm, made him a popular figure in the sport. When Florida State announced his death on Sunday morning, tributes flooded in.

“Coach Bowden was not just one of the best coaches in history, but he was also an amazing guy,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said in a statement. “He was a unique human being who left an indelible mark on the world because of his great heart, beliefs, and ideals; it was a pleasure to know him and to have a connection with him beyond anything I could have imagined.

FSU established a dominating program in the 1980s and 1990s under Bowden, consistently placing in the top five of the Associated Press poll from 1987 through 2000. Many of his teammates sent messages for him on Sunday.

Players from Florida State University

God bless the Bowden Family,Friends & Loved ones. My Prayers are with u. I’ve lost 1 of the best coaches I’ve ever had. pic.twitter.com/aNvkMJ704c

August 8, 2021 — COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders)

We lost a great one today! FAITH, FAMILY & FOOTBALL- nobody did it better than Coach Bowden. I will forever be grateful to have had the opportunity to play for this man. Condolences to the Bowden family and Rest In Peace my friend! #greatestofalltime pic.twitter.com/vKj9zU1SOA

August 8, 2021 — Chris Weinke (@ChrisWeinke16)

#RIP #Nolelegend #Dadgummit #You are remembered by everyone who played under you! RT @nYhdjCWhoT: pic.twitter.com/nYhdjCWhoT

August 8, 2021 — Marvin Shade Jones (@MarvinJonesJets)

Today is a sad day in the globe. Today, we lost a legend. Bobby Bowden, rest in peace. We are sad to see him leave, but we consider it a gift that he had a full life. He had a huge effect on a lot of people’s lives and was able to disseminate his message all across the globe. His legacy will go on in perpetuity.

August 8, 2021 — freddie stevenson (@strugglemade105)

Coach Bobby Bowden for every hug after a TD, for every Pregame Bible verse devotion, for every 2nd & 3rd chance you gave, for every motivational speech, for every one of my teammates you recruited, for every phone call to ask me to be a Seminole, I thank you! Rest In Peace 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/EkteetkwDA

August 8, 2021 — Wayne Messam (@WayneMessam)

I praise God for Coach Bowden’s presence in my life! I am very glad to have had the opportunity to play under Coach Bowden. He instilled in us the values of “Faith, Family, and Football” in that order. I’ll miss him, and I want to conduct my life in a way that honors his memory. Coach B, rest in peace! pic.twitter.com/ndvP1ImVJb

August 8, 2021 — Derrick Brooks (@DBrooks55)

I was very saddened to learn about Coach Bobby Bowden’s death. He treated us all as though we were his sons. You will be missed, but the lessons you taught will live on. NOLES, GO!!! pic.twitter.com/6LriINGo7C

August 8, 2021 — Tra Thomas (@72TraThomas)

This @espn video is a great depiction of you, Coach Bowden! You told my family that you would support me both as a football player and as a student when you recruited me. You aided us in becoming better men, leaders, and Christians in general. Coach, we adore you. Thank you once again for everything! pic.twitter.com/53PvstBwCO

August 8, 2021 — Myron Rolle, MD (@MyronRolle)

Bowden’s matchups against rivals Miami, Florida, and subsequently Clemson often had national championship implications and were immortalized in nicknames. “Wide Right I” and its successors were the subject. Bobby Bowden fought his son Tommy Bowden, who was Clemson’s coach in the late 1990s and early 2000s, in the “Choke at Doak” and the “Bowden Bowl.” Those competitors also paid their respects.

Rivals

Bobby Bowden is regarded as one of college football’s all-time best coaches. He is the second-winningest coach in history, behind only Joe Paterno. During my 12 years at Florida, we had several great fights. We won a few and he won the majority.

August 8, 2021 — Coach Steve Spurrier (@SteveSpurrierUF)

We send our sympathies to the Bowden family and the Florida State football team on the death of Bobby Bowden, who was a key figure in establishing the UM-FSU rivalry as one of the best in college football.

Coach, may you rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/MdGuy1gGk5

August 8, 2021 — Canes Football (@CanesFootball)

“He was the paradigm,” Dabo Swinney said in July of Bobby Bowden. “He was such a wonderful example of not losing sight of the important thing: a man of faith, a terrific spouse, and a great parent.”

This is a defeat that affects all of college football. Today we’re staying with the Bowdens. pic.twitter.com/8hdOpHaLoK https://t.co/XAqSvOx1Jv pic.twitter.com/8hdOpHaLoK

August 8, 2021 — Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB)

My heartfelt condolences go out to the Bowden and @FSUFootball families. A great guy and coach has passed away. Coach Bowden, rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/MvNKodOa7W

August 8, 2021 — Gators Football (@GatorsFB)

We have lost a legend today. Bobby was a wonderful friend and mentor to me, and his influence extended well beyond the coaching industry. Ann and the whole Bowden family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Coach Bowden, may you rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/om6LRmkkIo

August 8, 2021 — Urban Meyer (@CoachUrbanMeyer)

Coaches and educational institutions

A Legend has passed away. pic.twitter.com/Iysy2hXtrj

August 8, 2021 — Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL)

We lost a great man today. Coach Bowden was one-of-a-kind and touched so many lives. I’m so fortunate to call him a mentor and friend. We send our condolences to all of his family and friends. A legend who will be dearly missed. pic.twitter.com/7STmB8Hjoi

August 8, 2021 — Mack Brown (@CoachMackBrown)

Coach Bobby Bowden’s legacy lives on through the many individuals he influenced every day. I had the amazing opportunity to see him play throughout my ten years of roaming about the FSU locker room and practice grounds as a child. He was the one who set the bar! Faith, Family, and Football https://twitter.com/1sOkIIy3Zf

August 8, 2021 — Coach Jeff Scott (@coach jeffscott)

A living legend. Coach Bobby Bowden, may you rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/CS594zgwDx

August 8, 2021 — UAB Football (@UAB FB)

Forever a football legend

Coach Bowden, may you rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/7X9WbZJMTQ

August 8, 2021 — WVU Football (@WVUfootball)

Bobby Bowden, a famous alumni, former football player, and head coach, will be remembered as a Samford Bulldog forever. pic.twitter.com/eYiPNTxAN0

August 8, 2021 — Samford University (@SamfordU)

Related Tags

  • florida seminoles
  • florida state logo
You May Also Like