Steve Spurrier releases heartfelt statement on death of Bobby Bowden

Steve Spurrier is one to share respect when he goes up against a rival that gets the best of him and his team, and that was never more the case than Bobby Bowden and Florida State.

Spurrier is always easy with a jab, but if you were better than his team, he paid the ultimate respect. That’s what he did on Sunday following the passing of Bowden, the FSU legend, at 91.

Bowden’s record against Spurrier was 8-5-1. Spurrier won one national title to Bowden’s two. But Spurrier’s came against FSU in the Sugar Bowl in 1997, a sweet victory for the Gators.

“Bobby Bowden was one of the all time greatest coaches in the history of college football,” Spurrier shared on social media. “He’s the second winningest coach of all time behind Joe Paterno. We had some good battles during my 12 years at Florida. He won most of them and we won a few.

“I enjoyed our relationship after coaching as we served for Rising Stars which helps young men and women from difficult backgrounds go to college and be successful.”

A classy statement from the Gators great.

I enjoyed our relationship after coaching as we served for Rising Stars which helps young men and women from difficult backgrounds go to college and be successful.

— Coach Steve Spurrier (@SteveSpurrierUF) August 8, 2021

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.