Bobby Bowden delivers a sermon on family, faith, football

The former Florida State University coach was the cornerstone of a football-flavored Sunday that included a sports-themed play area for youngsters before and between services, and an invitation for congregants to eschew suits and dresses for their favorite team jerseys.

Many church members complied with a mix of teams on display, including a man and woman in University of Florida outfits sitting in a front pew directly in front of the pulpit where Bowden spoke. Directly behind them were two women in Indianapolis Colts jerseys.

The church even canceled its evening service and Bible study so members could watch Sunday night's game between the New Orleans Saints and the Colts.

Bowden, who has the record for the second-most victories in major college football, talked about family, faith and football at the 9 and 11 a.m. services.

He is no stranger to the pulpit, first addressing a congregation in 1953.

Throughout his coaching career, Bowden has spoken openly about his Christian faith. Since his retirement in January, he has been busy preaching at churches across the state.

"I feel that's what God wants me to do," Bowden said at the early service.

In a folksy, practiced delivery, Bowden said that he believes God has a purpose for everyone and directed him into a career of coaching rather than preaching.

"That's why God called me into coaching, to work with young men," he said.

Bowden, 80, retired after winning 389 games in a career that covered 44 years as a head coach and 34 years at FSU. He took his teams to 26 straight bowl appearances and won two national championships.

Sunday morning, he couldn't help making a joke about retirement.

"If you want to know what it's like to be retired, every day is a Saturday," he said.

Bowden wound down the 30-minute sermon with an admonition for congregants to be open about their faith.

"Don't be afraid to tell people you're a Christian," he said. "I did it all the time I was a coach."

In 2003, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes established its annual award and named it after Bowden. The award honors one college football player for his achievement on the field, in the classroom and for his conduct as a "faith model" in the community.

Church officials had expected the longtime Florida State coach to pack the sanctuary. The two morning services typically combine to draw about 6,000 people, said Brian McDougall, Idlewild's executive pastor.

Sunday's two services were expected to bring in a total of about 10,000 people, he said.

Bowden brought Becky Gordon and her family to the 11,000-member church. They usually attend much smaller Baptist church in Citrus Park.

Huge FSU Seminole fans, they came to hear the former coach.

"It was awesome to see him in this setting and hear him speak his mind and really talk about what he believes in," she said.

Idlewild Baptist's senior pastor, Ken Whitten, said he invited Bowden as a gesture of gratitude.

"It's our way to say 'thank you' to someone who has his priorities in the right place," he said. "He's always put his family and faith before football. We want to give him his due and thank him for a job well done."

Reporter Neil Johnson can be reached at (813) 259-7731.

Photo Credit: Staff photo by JIM REED

Photo: Former FSU coach Bobby Bowden was the guest preacher Sunday at the Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz on Super Bowl Sunday.

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