Bobby Bowden Was Right. So?
May 13th, 2015
More from Bobby Bowden
Yes, the interview Florida State’s legendary former coach Bobby Bowden gave Paul Finebaum on the SEC Network yesterday, in which Bowden’s words were less than flattering to America’s Quarterback, Bucs signalcaller Jameis Winston, sure rocked the sports world.
(Joe chuckles when folks tell him he writes too much about Jameis. Really? He’s only the No. 1 overall draft pick, a Bucs quarterback no less, who won a national title and a Heisman Trophy. National TV networks do live cut-ins on his practices. When he does something nice — even when he doesn’t do anything at all like yesterday — Jameis’ name is all the rage on social media. And Joe isn’t supposed to write about him? For folks who think that, Joe has four words for you: You just don’t understand.)
The Twitter from Finebaum (very likely typed by a producer) quoted Bowden saying Florida State supporters considered Jameis an “embarrassment” to university. Joe remembers telling his good friend, “The Big Dog,” Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620, that he was eager to hear the entire interview. A Twitter can only state so much.
So here is the full text of what Finebaum asked Bowden, and Bowden’s response (typed by Bud Elliot).
Finebaum: “And certainly, discipline and off-field issues have always been out there and not to go back there to something close to you, but Jameis Winston was, many people felt like he was an embarrassment to your great university, Florida State. He won the Heisman, won a National Championship, he was the No. 1 player chosen, but the controversy never seemed to leave him, including on the night when he was selected, he was sitting there in Bessmer Alabama on one of the greatest nights of his life and uh, he flashes the crab legs, and uh, what are your thoughts on Jameis Winston?
Bowden: (laughing) Well, I think it’s a consensus among Florida State fans, and boosters that he was an embarrassment in a lot of ways to the university (emphasis mine). He won a lot of ball games, probably one of the best football players that ever attended Florida State, but he hurt himself off the field. The good news is that he’s young enough to get over that, ya know it, and he’s gotta do that. He just can’t make those junior high school decisions that he made while he was in college.
For those inclined, thanks to Andy Staples of SI.com, here is the video of the exchange.
That Bowden quote sounds quite a bit different when you hear the question and the whole quote. http://t.co/wXL8xeZHUA
— Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) May 12, 2015
But you know what? Bowden was right. And Joe bets that even Jameis would agree. Yes, Jameis did knucklehead things while at Florida State. Jameis has all but admitted how dumb they were.
Of course, a university having its name drug through the mud is embarrassing. You don’t think Miami folks were embarrassed when Najeh Davenport crawled through a woman’s bedroom apartment window and shat in her laundry basket? You don’t think scholars in Gainesville aren’t embarrassed by Aaron Hernandez? You don’t think Georgia officials were embarrassed by Zach Mettenberger copping a plea? You don’t think Alabama officials are embarrassed when their football players mug students? You don’t think Auburn administrators are embarrassed when … well, nevermind about Auburn.
You get the picture. Of course what Jameis did in Tallahassee was embarrassing, especially to him and his family. How much cash you think his pranks have cost him in endorsements? Millions!
And by the way, Bowden has said worse about Jameis. About a year ago, Joe wants to say it was on the Scott Van Pelt Show (Joe couldn’t dig up an old audio), Bowden – Joe is paraphrasing here — said Jameis’ stunts were what you would expect from a child. Shoot, below is a video of Bowden discussing Winston’s pranks more harshly than what he did yesterday.
May 13th, 2015 at 8:42 am
A Swearinger article maybe??
May 13th, 2015 at 8:46 am
As far as this article it’s a little truth to it and a little bitterness aa well because how he waa pushed out
May 13th, 2015 at 8:47 am
Non story
May 13th, 2015 at 8:48 am
You’d really think that with the constant coverage that we have on athletes and public figures in general now that we would be more willing to allow someone to grow and change, especially if they’re a young person. We’re able to get regular updates about what is going on in the person’s life at a level of detail that I would be extremely uncomfortable with if it were me being scrutinized that way publicly. So, I wonder why people are so reluctant to believe that someone might be able to change and possibly even learn from their mistakes. The guy could spend every day for the rest of his life ladling soup for the homeless when he’s not on the field practicing or playing in a game and people will still consider him a behavior risk and hold their breath waiting to see his mug shot pop up. It’s baffling.
May 13th, 2015 at 9:00 am
Winston definitely didn’t shine a bright light on the program but Bowden had his issues at FSU and basically forced the program to push him out because he would not just retire. The program suffered year and year with Bowden at the helm.
May 13th, 2015 at 9:06 am
JBF practically RECANTING his previous post, calling Bowden and the media “embarrassing”!!! JBF listens to me. I’ll continue to shine the light.
May 13th, 2015 at 9:13 am
Bucs picked Swearinger off Waivers. The end. Better?
May 13th, 2015 at 9:23 am
Mettenberger played for LSU man
May 13th, 2015 at 9:39 am
Noticed that too, BrownBagBuc.
The full quote is what you would expect from a great Christian man like Bobby Bowden. Spank or scold the child and then provide forgiveness.
Many people despise the way Joe is fawning over Winston.
Yes, he was a No. draft pick by the Bucs and yes this is a sports blog, but he hasn’t cured cancer, or even polio for that matter and neither has he stepped foot on the moon.
In fact, he hasn’t even taken a regular season snap in the NFL.
To much hyperbole over an unproven product causes people to form an aversion and psychological reaction to the person being overhyped.
May 13th, 2015 at 9:40 am
I don’t really care. What FSU should be embarrassed about is FSU Fans. The way they attacked people with concerns over Winston was low class. It was their own hate mongering that blew everything up into huge proportions.
May 13th, 2015 at 9:48 am
As I replied to the poster who first brought this up last night this was not a “newsflash”. Even out of context without the full meaning (thanks for the rest of the story Joe) it wasn’t newsworthy because nothing has changed in Bowden’s attitude. This wasn’t anything he hasn’t been saying all along.
Again I saw a BSPN piece before the draft where Fameis DID seem truly embarrassed by what he has done. Seeing him surrounded by his family helps me understand why. He realizes he hurt others besides himself.
It is quite possible that Fameis did learn from his mistake. It’s also possible he’ll blow up in the future. But we can only stay in the present.
It’s time to forget the past and move on. IF Fameis pulls another bone headed stunt then his rep will come back to haunt him. As long as he continues to behave like the model #1 draft pick and future franchise QB and keeps his nose clean…he shouldn’t have to spend the rest of his life defending his past.
May 13th, 2015 at 9:58 am
@BrownBagBuc ….. Mettenberger started out at Georgia, had his legal issue and was kicked off the team, transferred to LSU
May 13th, 2015 at 10:02 am
When I first heard the quote, in its partial form, I was pissed at Bobby.
But in reading the actual statement, I think he was right.
I think he was trying to say something supportive of Jameis, that he is young and hopes he learns, but it came out wrong.
In any event, I give Bobby a pass, he has earned it.
May 13th, 2015 at 10:12 am
“BuccaneerBonzai Says:
May 13th, 2015 at 9:40 am
I don’t really care. What FSU should be embarrassed about is FSU Fans. The way they attacked people with concerns over Winston was low class. It was their own hate mongering that blew everything up into huge proportions.”
Yeah, well, you know, that’s just, like, your opinion, man.
May 13th, 2015 at 10:26 am
BrownBag:
Zach Mettenberger was a member of Georgia football team when he copped a plea on sexual assault. He was thrown off the team as a result and transferred to LSU.
May 13th, 2015 at 1:10 pm
Joe does write about Jameis WAAAAAY too much.
May 13th, 2015 at 2:03 pm
Speaking of FSU fans….you should have heard how certain FSU fans followed Horschel all day Saturday, and heckled him on EVERY shot. Low class (note: I am not categorizing all FSU fans!! All schools have ahole fans).
May 13th, 2015 at 2:42 pm
Mariota Joe FTW!
All schools have ahole fans
I always laugh when bigtime college football supporters try to make fun of their rivals when an embarrassing situation emerges. ALL big time college sports teams have closets full of baggage and skeletons.