It's So Hard To Say Goodbye

Coach Bobby Bowden Retired today from the prestigious Florida State University. Coach Bowden coached at FSU for 34 years fininshing 2nd all-time in career wins. When you think of Florida State University you think of Coach Bowden. Bowden was huge part of college football throughout his tenure FSU. Bowden was one of many coaches who served as a father figure towards his players. Bowden never shyed away from recruiting young African American males who came from rough backgrounds. Players who were percieved as "thugs" such as Randy Moss, Leroy Butler, Peter Warrick, Marvin "Snoop Minnis, and Darnell Dockett were players who Bowden recruited despite the so-called baggage they brought. Everyone out of the group except for Randy Moss continued at Florida State and had successful careers at FSU. Bowden even stepped outside of the box and featured a black quarterback(Charlie Ward) in his offense at a time when black quarterbacks were looked at in a negative manner. There were everal dark clouds over Bobby Bowden's career such as issues with NCAA violations, low graduation rates, and players from the program constantly in the media for all of the wrong reasons. Everyone is not perfect and Coach Bowden never quit on his players no matter what the dispute was. We can thank Coach Bowden for helping produce players such Deion Sanders, Derrick Brooks, Terelle Buckley, Leroy Butler, Warrick Dunn, Darnell Dockett, Lavernues Coles, Leon Washington, Chris Weinke, Broderick Bunkley, and the list goes on. While Coach Bowden receives bad reviews when it comes to education and his players nobody mentions that he coached All-American FS Myron Rolle who is a Rhodes Scholar. After 34 years of blood, sweat, tears, and accomplishments College Football lost a legend. There will never be another Bobby Bowden at FSU its virtually impossible, but his legacy will live on forever. Tallahasse, Florida will have an odd feeling to their saturday afternoons without Bowden at the helm. His successor Jimbo Fisher has enormous shoes to fill lets hope he is up for the job.