Bobby Bowden

Former Florida State Coach, Bobby Bowden, was the keynote speaker at the 2010 Chick-fil-A FCA Breakfast at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. The Fellowship of Christian Athlete Breakfast brings together coaches and members of each opposing team and this year's event featured the University of South Carolina Gamecocks and the Florida State Seminoles.

Bobby Bowden made it clear that he had been selected months earlier for the speaking engagement long before the two teams had been determined. I personally found it very ironic that Coach Bowden would be standing before his longtime assistant, Jimbo Fisher, and former rival, Steve Spurrier and addressing their current teams on a cold morning in Atlanta. Quite surprisingly the message was very much worthwhile and extremely meaningful.

Bowden begin by telling some pretty great jokes. I suppose it is not difficult to have a host of great stories built up when you have coached for as long as he has. When Bowden retired from Florida State University, he was the second leading all time Division 1- FBS coach with the most wins at 389. Bowden noted that every single day is now like a Saturday since he has retired and made he comparisons to a kid not having to go to school and sleeping late on Saturdays.

The serious message, however, focused on why he is involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Bowden made it clear that our nation needs healing and good leadership. He stated that this could be done by following the advice in the book of Chronicles. He believes that athletes in our various schools can serve as the proper role-models that others admire and imitate. He called on all athletes and coaches to be good examples and to be Christ-like. He stated that life is so precious and that we should live it to the fullest and take advantage of helping others along the way. Before closing, Coach Bowden shared a story about a former player, Pablo Lopez. Pablo was out one night at a party on campus. Pablo was 21 years old, 6-1, and 281 pounds. He played offensive tackle and was a really great kid. Pablo got into an altercation with another individual and was later killed by a shotgun blast directly to his stomach. This greatly impacted the Florida State Team back in 1986. In fact, he stated that his offensive coordinator at the time, Mark Richt (now head coach of the University of Georgia Bulldogs,) accepted Christ following the tragic incident.

Overall, Coach Bobby Bowden was humorous, entertaining, and left the crowd with some meaningful messages. A wonderful time was had by all. FCA events take place at various places and times and most bowl games across the nation have some type of FCA event that occurs in conjunction with the game. If you ever get the opportunity, it is a great family activity and you might enjoy the speaker, too. In Atlanta, Chick-fil-a provides the food and lots of neat gifts. Some former FCA speakers have included Tony Dungy, AC Green, and Dan Reeves.