July 9, 2005
Bowden: 'This, too, shall pass'
Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden appeared on son Terry's radio show this past week and commented on the recent off the field struggles the Seminoles have faced.
On the arrest of Ernie Sims for assaulting his girlfriend:
"...hinting at neither how his defensive standout will be punished or how much the FSU faithful should worry about it...."This, too, shall pass," Bowden told son Terry...."
On whether misdemeanors such as AJ Nicholson's DUI or resisting arrest charge would mean a suspension:
Bowden answered, "Not to me."
On QB Wyatt Sexton's public breakdown:
"The big thing now is waiting for all the medical reports to come in," he said. "He's going through examinations, and it's going to take some time to do it. You've got to put his health ahead of everything else."
On bowing to public pressure when dealing with off the field incidents:
"The media has gotten involved in it, . . . and they want to handle it," he said. "Well, they're not going to handle mine."
Dadgummit, I really like Bowden as a coach and love the program he's built at Florida State, but I think there has to be some point at which you say - if you end up in handcuffs, you're going to miss some games. Even if the charges against Sims are expected to be dropped, don't you have to take some action when a scholarship athlete sits in the back of a patrol car?
Making players run the steps for misdemeanors (or whatever punishment Bowden intends) just leads to players feeling like they are above the law. I know Bowden's season (and legacy?) are on the line, but at some point you have to care more about the names on the FRONT of the jersey.
Comments:
Matt Hurley said:
posted on July 14, 2005 10:52 PM — 4.129.81.168 — link — abuse?
Really, im the biggest fan in the world of florida state havn't missed a play since i was 7 years old. All i can say is the guys messed up, it happens at every university every year, FLORIDA STATE just gets it out to the public more because of the team they have always had. Honestly, innocent until proven guilty, let the guys play until they're charged. If they did wrong they did wrong.
The thing that pushes my button is the fact that this happens over and over again every summer. WHY ARE WE PLAYIN MIAMI the first game of the year. In my opinion if Florida State loses that game, the season is over. Xavier Lee will develop, we have plenty of guys to step up, but you can't do that in 1 night. LET THE GUYS PLAY UNTIL THEY ARE FOUND GUILTY!! Atleast that way we can possibly get through the miami game.
posted on July 15, 2005 8:55 AM — link — abuse?Kevin Donahue said:
I gotta disagree, Matt. Playing Miami at the first of the year is probably the smartest thing they can do. A loss in Game One won't hurt them terribly if the run the table. And in future years, FSU simply needs to take care of their division & the rest will fall into place.
As far letting guys play until their guilty, umm...no. Doing so says that the university knows better than the police. I don't think that's what FSU is all about.
BostonSeminole said:
posted on July 20, 2005 1:28 PM — 155.212.213.34 — link — abuse?
Kev,
This thread is a blinding example of the FSU-hysteria that is slowly compromising what the university is all about. Clearly, you are the voice of reason, and you make no bones about prioritizing respect for authority/police over wins. Like previous posters, I'm also a diehard FSU fan. However, I find it more and more difficult to defend Bowden's decisions. Here's a little perspective...
I currently reside in New England and I'm getting really jacked up about FSU coming up here to play BC every other year - it's gonna be great! As you can imagine, I'm being 'loud and proud' about my FSU alumnus status. Inevitably, my BC friends put headline after headline in front of me, pointing out player run-in's with the law, academic disqualification, etc. I gotta tell ya, it's a little hard to play the "it happens at every school" card when there's not a lot going on up here at BC. Mind you, I'm not putting BC on a pedestal, I'm just letting the rabid Seminole nation understand that Bowden -- and the university -- are becoming a joke. It's difficult to admit, but I'm torn about keeping my FSU stickers on my car. Am I really in a position to brag about this athletic program?
Finally, before Kevin is inundated with replies, let me emphasize that loyalty is a virtue I respect. My loyalty, however, has and always will reside with the values of the university -- not a football coach.
This Fall, I'll be at BC cheering on my Noles. But even if we win -- and that's a big IF -- my BC buddies will laugh at the mess our program is in. And that's just not right.
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tpique1 said:
posted on July 12, 2005 3:35 PM — 65.89.169.1 — link — abuse?AJ -ran from an officer and was tased— slap on the wrist
Wyatt- Lyme Disease— beyond his control
Sims- Media fact farse— little Dan Rathers making stuff up to help sell newspapers
Each of these are setbacks but are no need for concern. AJ's may be the biggest concern but even then he's probably going to get a slap on the wrist for a misdemeanor (sp?). Wyatt, is just needing to recover from a serious illness, and Ernie is just a victem of an overexaggerated arguement.
FSU is doing just fine. Sit back and watch this year. X is our Charlie Ward of the future. IMHO