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College football lost a legend on Sunday, as Hall of Fame coach Bobby Bowden died at 91. Bowden, who has won 377 career victories and two national championships in his 40 years as a major college coach, has announced he is suffering from a terminal illness. her son, Terry Bowden, later confirmed it to be pancreatic cancer on July 21.
In his terminal illness announcement, Bowden said he was “at peace”.
“I’ve always tried to serve God’s purpose for my life, on and off the pitch, and I’m prepared for what’s to come,” Bowden told the Tallahassee Democrat. “My wife, Ann and our family have been the greatest blessing in life. I am at peace. “
Bowden transformed Florida state football into a national powerhouse during his 34-year tenure at Tallahassee. The Seminoles won 12 ACC titles under Bowden, adding national championships in 1993 and 1999. For 14 consecutive seasons (1987-2000), Bowden helped FSU finish in the AP top 5.
In addition to FSU, Bowden has coached in Samford and West Virginia. He retired in 2009.
Here’s some of the love the college football world has shown Bowden since news of his death was announced.
Louisiana-Monroe coach Terry Bowden, son of Bobby Bowden, wrote on Twitter that he was “touched” by the support FSU fans have shown since his father’s death.
Under Bowden, former FSU star Deion Sanders has become one of college football’s most feared defensive backs. Sanders won the Thorpe Award, awarded to the nation’s best defensive back, in 1988. The former two-time All-American Consensus was also eighth in Heisman when voting in 1988.
Derrick Brooks won two consensus All-American Awards and a National Championship (1993) while playing for Bowden at FSU. The FSU retired Brooks’ No.10 jersey in 2010.
Warrick Dunn also played on the Seminoles Championship team in 1993, a season in which he won All-America freshman honors. Bowden helped Dunn become the Sugar Bowl MVP in 1995 and the program’s first rusher to reach 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons.
Bowden coached Wayne Messam from 1993 to 1996, winning a national title in the wide receiver’s first year. Messam is now the mayor of Miramar, Florida, a position he has held since 2015.
Bowden led the Seminoles in many exciting games against rival Miami, both of which achieved national notoriety in the 1980s. Howard Schnellenberger, the former Canes coach, also died this year.
Bowden also led the FSU in classic battles against the Florida Gators, finishing 17-18 against the Gators.
Several legendary coaches and national championship winners have also reacted to Bowden’s death, including Nick Saban, Dabo Swinney, Urban Meyer and Mack Brown.
Bowden coached West Virginia from 1970 to 1975, winning the Peach Bowl in his final season at Morgantown.
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