In honor of his Florida Medal of Freedom, share your best personal Bowden encounter. Repeats are welcome, as there are always new subscribers here. This one is a repeat, but it's been a few years. Hopefully there are enough of us left to relay his unparalleled charm.
Back in August '92 I went to the Alumni Association's kickoff luncheon at the Civic Center with my wife, my almost-one-year-old, and a recently-married (or not quite married yet?) couple who had met while they were FSU cheerleaders. Great luncheon, packed as always back then, one of the all time great rosters, all time great coaching staffs, 1st year in the ACC, etc. It was highlighted by Bobby's oft-used quip that Ann couldn't be there because she was in Birmingham getting inducted into the MasterCard Hall of Fame (maybe that was another year but I remember it then).
When it was over, the cheerleader couple had to say hi to someone so we waited for them at the lower south exit to the parking lot where the team busses were. Of course the cheerleader couple took forever and my little one got tired so I was holding him, standing near the big doorway.
Most people were gone by the time Bowden made his way out. We made eye contact, but I didn't say anything as I didn't want to bug him. Next thing I know he walks over to me and says "Hey, Buddy" - Buddy was his ingenious name for everyone so he didn't have to remember any - "Who ya got there? Mind?"; and held out his arms. So there he is, rocking my child, and me and my wife with no camera.
"What's his name?"
"Connor."
"He feels really solid. Where is he on the growth chart?"
"Near the top."
"Thought so. Call me when he gets to high school and we'll get him in a camp," and he hands him back to me.
A minute or so later the cheerleader couple arrives and I told them they missed it.
"Missed what?"
"Bowden just recruited Connor for the 2008 Noles." The busses had just left, and we started walking south to our car through the little parking lot - we were parked on one of the side streets south of the Civic Center - and I relay the story.
"No way. That's B.S." We are now on the sidewalk on St. Augustine/Madison, arguing about it, walking east, and waiting for a break in traffic to cross it. Then, AS IF ON CUE, a horn honks and a black Mercedes drives right by us with Bowden at the wheel, waving to us.
"So, still call B.S.?"
That was the day Bobby Bowden recruited my son. 😄
Back in August '92 I went to the Alumni Association's kickoff luncheon at the Civic Center with my wife, my almost-one-year-old, and a recently-married (or not quite married yet?) couple who had met while they were FSU cheerleaders. Great luncheon, packed as always back then, one of the all time great rosters, all time great coaching staffs, 1st year in the ACC, etc. It was highlighted by Bobby's oft-used quip that Ann couldn't be there because she was in Birmingham getting inducted into the MasterCard Hall of Fame (maybe that was another year but I remember it then).
When it was over, the cheerleader couple had to say hi to someone so we waited for them at the lower south exit to the parking lot where the team busses were. Of course the cheerleader couple took forever and my little one got tired so I was holding him, standing near the big doorway.
Most people were gone by the time Bowden made his way out. We made eye contact, but I didn't say anything as I didn't want to bug him. Next thing I know he walks over to me and says "Hey, Buddy" - Buddy was his ingenious name for everyone so he didn't have to remember any - "Who ya got there? Mind?"; and held out his arms. So there he is, rocking my child, and me and my wife with no camera.
"What's his name?"
"Connor."
"He feels really solid. Where is he on the growth chart?"
"Near the top."
"Thought so. Call me when he gets to high school and we'll get him in a camp," and he hands him back to me.
A minute or so later the cheerleader couple arrives and I told them they missed it.
"Missed what?"
"Bowden just recruited Connor for the 2008 Noles." The busses had just left, and we started walking south to our car through the little parking lot - we were parked on one of the side streets south of the Civic Center - and I relay the story.
"No way. That's B.S." We are now on the sidewalk on St. Augustine/Madison, arguing about it, walking east, and waiting for a break in traffic to cross it. Then, AS IF ON CUE, a horn honks and a black Mercedes drives right by us with Bowden at the wheel, waving to us.
"So, still call B.S.?"
That was the day Bobby Bowden recruited my son. 😄
