TALLAHASSEE (Fla.) - Chuck Amato, a longtime assistant at Florida State, left Raleigh on Friday to drive all night to get to Tampa in time to pay his last respects to Bobby Bowden. He simply felt that he had to be there to say goodbye.Amato, who was shedding tears as he thought back to the 21-year-old coach he had coached with, said "I owe that to him." He taught me everything I need to know about being a head coach. To sum up what he has done for Florida and the university, I would need to write 10 paragraphs.Amato was among hundreds of mourners who came out to pay their respects for Bowden, who died on Aug. 8, at the age of ninety-one from pancreatic cancer. Bowden was laid in state Capitol's honor on Friday morning.Bowden was then laid in repose in the lobby of Florida State's football facility. The Bowden family was greeted by John Thrasher, the university president, and David Coburn, the athletics director. They arrived at the permanent memorial to Bobby Bowden. This statue was erected in 2009 following 34 years as the head coach.The statue's base was surrounded by bouquets of flowers, many in school colors garnet or gold. An area surrounded the statue's entrance was crowded with former players and coaches, waiting to see Bowden for one last moment.John Christie and Jennifer, Seminoles long-time fans, arrived at 9 :45 to get their spot in line. Ronnie Cottrell was just behind them, having served as the Seminoles' recruiting coordinator during their dynasty run.Cottrell, a Mobile high school coach, said that Coach was a great father figure. "I've received hundreds of calls from players in the last week. His influence was so important to so many. While there are many pastors who wish they had his influence, there are also fathers. He was much more than a coach. He was so much more than a coach.He was just a few spots behind a group that played for Bowden in West Virginia in late 1960s. Mickey Plumley, an offensive tackle who was part of the winning team for the Peach Bowl 1969, spoke about the 50th anniversary celebration that took place in 2019 for the team. Bowden attended. Bowden also remembered the names of all 37 players present.Plumley, in tears, said that Coach Bowden was my surrogate father after I lost my parents in highschool. I just want to thank God for being a part my life every day.Fans waited in line to get photos while others stood in front the Bowden statue. Emory Parker took a picture with his child. Close family friends Wayne McGahee, Tyler Wade and Tyler Wade were also there. McGahee began attending games as a student in 1969, when Florida State was struggling to become a successful football team. Bowden's 1976 first Florida State game against Kansas saw McGahee there.McGahee stated, "I sat on the stands when we were between 0-11 and before he got here." "I've seen the worst. There's no way to know where we would be without Bobby. There wouldn't have been banners there. It's a fact.Wade named his son Bowden after Bowden.Wade stated, "If my son can make an impact on the fraction of people Bobby Bowden made an impact on, then I would be satisfied as a father."On Saturday, former players Deion Sands, Warrick Dunn, and Charlie Ward will speak at a formal service. Also, several family members are expected to attend. Bowden was found in the lobby of the football facility on Friday. He was surrounded by his two national championship trophy trophies, and a large bouquet with red roses that were placed on the casket. Ann Bowden, his wife and children, including Jeff, Jeff, and Terry, greeted everyone who came to pay their respects.Chris Weinke, a former Florida State quarterback, said that it was "a hell of a lot harder walking in there and seeing him lying there than what I ever thought it would be". Weinke won the Heisman Trophy in 1999 and the national championship. "Very emotional. To me, it should be a celebration for what this man accomplished in 91years and the lives that he influenced in such a positive manner."When people say that he built a family, they are right. If you look back at his first year and the program's appearance, you can see the 14 consecutive years of success he had. With a few maybe-not-wide-rights, maybe (there's) a few more national championships. Just to show the immense impact he made on so many lives, for this university, as well as what he stood for. The statue is quite special and it's right there.
