Dedicated with respect to my distant cousin, Bobby Bowden.

Entire article available at:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/02/sp...tml?ref=sports

Florida State 33, No. 18 West Virginia 21

Bowden Goes Out on Top of Shoulders After Victory in Finale

Bob Self/The Florida Times-Union, via Associated Press
Bobby Bowden is major college football’s second-winningest coach, with a 389-129-4 record.



By KAREN CROUSE
Published: January 1, 2010

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Florida State players were determined to carry off the coach who had lifted their once-moribund football program to national eminence. But once on their shoulders, Bobby Bowden balked. After a few yards of forward progress, Bowden pointed at the ground.

Even after the final victory of his storied career, a 33-21 win against West Virginia in the Gator Bowl on Friday, Bowden was uncomfortable being elevated above everybody else.

“They were determined to get me on their shoulders, so they did that,” Bowden said. He added, “But then I thought it was about time to get down.”

With many in the crowd of 84,129 — a Gator Bowl record — staying after the trophy presentation to chant his name, the 80-year-old Bowden walked off the field surrounded by a phalanx of photographers recording the official end of an era.

Bowden’s homespun humility was one of the many qualities that set him apart during a football career that lasted 56 years and ended with his 28th consecutive postseason appearance, a Joe DiMaggio-like mark of consistency and excellence.

His 389th career victory showcased the speed and ferocity on defense that was a hallmark of Bowden’s teams during Florida State’s record run of 11 consecutive bowl victories from 1985 to 1995.

The Seminoles recorded five sacks. In the second quarter, with West Virginia ahead by 14-3 and driving, the Florida State senior safety Jamie Robinson intercepted Jarrett Brown at the F.S.U. 39-yard line. The Seminoles then went on a scoring binge, reeling off 20 unanswered points to take a lead they would not relinquish.

Summing up the game, Bill Stewart, the Mountaineers’ coach, said: “Not a good job by Bill Stewart. Heck of a job by Bobby Bowden.”

Bowden was forced to retire after the regular season when his 34th Seminoles team went 6-6. He will be replaced by his offensive coordinator, Jimbo Fisher, and leaves with only one regret: that he failed to reach 400 victories.

“If I had won some more ballgames, I would have signed another five-year contract,” Bowden said on the eve of the game. “That’s how good I feel. But I didn’t win enough dadgum games.”

On Friday it was time for many of the people Bowden has touched to send him a message. Two hours before the game, thousands of fans and hundreds of former players ignored the rain to shower Bowden with love as he took a ceremonial stroll with Ann, his wife of 60 years, from the team bus to the stadium.

“That was the most emotional thing I have had,” Bowden said. “I was determined I ain’t going to cry. But I’ll tell you what. The closest I came is when I walked through them players and the fans.”

As Bowden was wrapping up his news conference, Ann Bowden stepped to the podium, wrapped her arm around his neck from behind and said, “Time to go home, baby.”