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Coach Tommy Bowden follows A Simple Call
By M. KAREN BREWER
His day begins with an hour of Bible study and prayer, a testimony to his dedication to his Christian faith.
Sharing that faith is something Tommy Bowden welcomes, one on one or before large crowds, having spoken to church congregations, youth groups, and others over the past three decades. He believes, as he wrote in the poem A Simple Call as a teenager in 1973: Once you've got it, don't hide it, like the oyster does the pearl. Take it and share it with the rest of the world.
He often speaks on the important role men have in their families, and the importance of fathers' involvement in the growth of their children.
The biggest influence in his own life, he said, has been his father, as a coach and as a Christian. "I was lucky to have a father around the home who was a positive role model, spiritually and coaching wise," he said. "I'm fortunate in that regard. He has given me advice and wisdom in the coaching profession and spirtually.
"I was raised in a strong fundamental Christian home," he said. "To this day, I can visually remember going downstairs to breakfast and seeing my father read the Bible, as he does now. That's my impression of him. My father believes that the Bible is the inerrant, infallible Word of God, a literal interpretation, and that's what I believe."
Bowden's study Bible, a King James Version, Life Application Bible, sets upons his desk. He reads Scripture each morning, "before work starts, to get my mind right," he said.
"This book has all of the answers," he said. "If you want to know anything about life, it's in this Book. II Timothy 3:16 and II Peter 1:21 say that holy men wrote this Book, that they were inspired, were moved, and were breathed on by God Almighty, Himself. This is not the opinion of man. This is God speaking to us. The Bible is the gameplan for life. It will give you knowledge and wisdom."
His favorite Bible verses include:
II Chronicles 7:14: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land.
Matthew 7:13-14: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Philippians 4:6-7: Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 13:8: Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.
Proverbs 22:6: Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Bowden was 12 years of age when he made a public profession of faith and was baptized. "It's a continual growth process," he said. "I continue to grow, and study, and try to do right."
He credits his Pastor, Dr. David Gallamore, as the key to his family joining Rock Springs Baptist Church in Easley in 1999. "I think the Pastor's important in a church," he said. "When you're looking for a church, the Pastor is pretty much the one who presents the message. Linda and I felt comfortable with his presentation. It sounded in tune with how we believe."
Bowden relied on the faith of his church friends who prayed for him during the 2003 football season. Referring to the Tigers' turnaround in the game against Florida State after the loss to Wake Forest, he said, "In my opinion, it was divine intervention. A lot of people were praying for me. A lot of people understand what I try to stand for. Does God care about wins and losses? No, but I think He cares about His people. People prayed for me, and I believe my being here is an answer to prayer."
Bowden is respected not only for his ability as an outstanding football coach, but also for his unwavering commitment to the Christian principles he follows daily. A man of integrity and honor, a true Christian on and off the field, he believes in following the example of Christ for his family, his players, and the community.
"I have a big platform," he said of his position as Clemson University's Head Football Coach. "I think it's an opportunity I cannot afford to waste." Not to use his position to share his faith, he said, would be a disservice to God. "I think that, as a professing Christian coach, I will be held accountable to God for my actions," he said. "I really believe, with all of my heart, that, when I stand before God when I die, God will say, Did you ever mention my name? Did you tell others about me? Could they see me through you?"
He lives a life of faith -- a faith he shares unashamedly -- because, long ago, he answered 'a simple call.'
A Simple Call
By Tommy Bowden
1973
Guide and strengthen us through each day,
to act and talk in a Christ-like way.
Though we are not worthy of His awesome power,
we need it to survive each and every hour.
Boy, is it great to have a God to love,
who's always there, just right above.
A God so great, He gave His only Son,
Yes, for me, you, and everyone.
And in times of trouble and great despair,
there's never a moment He won't be there.
And the Spirit of God will guide you through life,
No matter how big the problem, the outcome is right.
You may ask yourself, "How can I have this all?"
A little faith and a prayer is the simple call.
But once you've got it, don't hide it, like the oyster does the pearl.
Take it and share it with the rest of the world.
The Strength of the Family
By Tommy Bowden
We live in a world where values are lost,
Because we stress individual freedom at any cost.
Our society has tried to make each one the same,
And man destroys man, like an ordinary game.
At some point and time we must all realize
That the ultimate answer is up in the skies.
For in prisons and governments the battle won’t be won,
But Faith in the Father, Holy Spirit, and Son.
To bring back Godly wisdom, which is surely the key,
Must be done in the beginning, with a strong family.
But without Christ in the heart of the Mom and the Dad,
The job is too difficult and the outcome is sad.
So we try to find answers in everything but what’s right.
But only God can unveil darkness, with his Son who is the light.
So our children must start from the day they can learn
From the Mom and the Dad, with a hand that is firm.
So when our children are faced with peer pressure that is wrong
They need to stop and remember what God has said all along.
That the strength of the Family can only be in One
And our values and morals must be guided by the Son.
Faith, Family, and Football:
Coaches Tommy and Bobby Bowden
are witnesses for Christ
By M. KAREN BREWER
M. Karen Brewer photo -~ copyright
Clemson Tigers Head Football Coach Tommy Bowden
with his father, Florida State Seminoles Head Football Coach Bobby Bowden,
and his Pastor, Dr. David Gallamore of Rock Springs Baptist Church
More than 2,000 men of all ages, including many fathers and sons, gathered in the sanctuary of Rock Springs Baptist Church for a special night to hear a father and son, respected not only for their success as football coaches, but also for their witness for Christ.
Clemson Tigers Head Football Coach Tommy Bowden, a member of the Easley church since coming to Clemson, and his father, Florida State Seminoles Head Football Coach Bobby Bowden, shared their faith, encouraging the lost to be saved and Christians to be committed role models. Both men mixed football stories and humor before sharing the serious message of the Gospel.
Before the service, the men enjoyed a meal in the church’s Christian Fellowship Center, and then lined up for autographs from both Coach Bowdens in the old auditorium.
The service began in the new sanctuary with singing by the Men’s Quartet (Steve Allsep, Mike Freeman, Dennis Smith, and Joey Turner), a Men’s Trio (Minister of Music Don Gibson, Jason Kelley, and John Rollins), and an ensemble of Steve Rackley with the Quartet and Trio. An all-male choir from Rock Springs as well as from other churches invited to the service sang hymns, along with the congregation.
Pastor David Gallamore said that Rock Springs was honored and privileged to have both Coach Bowdens to speak at the Men’s Rally. "They’re great coaches and have done a marvelous job on the football field," he said. "And both of these men love the Lord Jesus Christ and are very open about their faith."
Tommy Bowden, who said he began his coaching career as a graduate assistant under his father, told the men that he appreciated their coming to hear them speak. "I think that it’s very important that Christian men meet together," he said, "that men socialize together, go to church and have Christian friends." Using an analogy of when a coal from a hot fire falls to the side, away from the other hot coals, losing its spark, losing its heat and productiveness, he added, "We need fellowship. We need to be together as Christian men."
The Christian life is not an easy one, he explained. "Paul said in I Corinthians 15:31, I die daily. There will be challenges every day about being the man of the family and taking your responsibility. I think how we act, what we do and what we say outside of the church is important, if we profess Christianity. If we are going to choose the name, we need to be careful how we act and what we say.
"It is our responsibility to our wife and children that they grow spiritually. It’s not the government’s job, the church’s job, the school’s job, or our wife’s job for our children to grow spiritually. That’s our job. It’s not our job to take our children to church, drop them off and pick them up. We need to be sitting with them. That’s our responsibility, as commanded by God. It’s our job to teach our children. I first learned about Christ from my father. Proverbs 22:6 says, Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
"In Biblical times, they didn’t have Bibles. They had scrolls, which stayed in the synagogues. A man would learn and go back and tell his wife and children. When the Israelites left Egypt, and had all the miracles — the manna, the water, the protective cloud — they told their children, generation after generation after generation.
"I had devotions with my family once a week, starting when my children were about three or five years old, telling them what God has done for me and how he has blessed me. That is our responsibility, as men of the household. God said we should take our roles seriously.
"As it says in Ephesians 5:23, we are supposed to be the head of the household. There is one President of the United States, one CEO of a company, one Head Football Coach, one head of the household. It says in Ephesians 5:25 that we should love our wife as Christ loves the church. It’s our responsibility.
"How we act, what we do and what we say and how we make reference to God is important. God takes that seriously. Satan trembles at the Word of God, at the Word of Jesus Christ. Isaiah 6:1-5 and Revelation 4:8 say that angels circle, night and day, over God, saying, Holy, holy, holy is His name. It is a reverent name, and we should treat it as such and be careful how we talk about Him. Have you ever noticed how Hollywood — movies, music, and the television industry — uses Jesus’ name and God’s name in vain? Why don’t they say, ‘Ah, Krishna’ or ‘Ah Buddha’? Why don’t they use Allah’s name? Because Satan doesn’t care. There is only one that makes him tremble. They tarnish, dilute, and try to compromise the true Word of God because Satan and the demons tremble at His name."
Contrary to what some may think, he said, not all ‘gods’ are the same. "Acts 4:12 says that there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved. They are not all equal. They are not all the same. There is only one.
"A lot of people say, ‘The Scriptures don’t apply. They were 2,000 years ago. You mean they’re the same today as they were back then? You mean God is really jealous? You mean men are supposed to teach their children?’ Hebrews 13:8 says Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Mark 13:31 says that heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s Word will not. It doesn’t change. It doesn’t change.
"Life is full of ups and downs," he said, explaining how, in the 2003 football season, Clemson lost to Wake Forest and the next week defeated Florida State, going from what he called the lowest low to the highest high, and, in the 2004 season, defeating Miami and then losing to Duke, from the highest high to the lowest low. "That’s how my profession goes," he said. "It’s volatile."
Other men could face different situations, he explained, but everyone’s life is full of ups and downs, highs and lows. "It deviates," he said of life. "It rains on the just and the unjust. It says in Psalms that God is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer. It (the Bible) doesn’t deviate. It never moves. It’s always there. Whether you’re high or whether you’re low, it’s concrete, it’s stable.
"We’ve all got to meet our Maker. Eventually, we’re all going to die. We’ve all got to confront God on Judgment Day. We’ll all be held accountable for what we know. We’ll be held accountable for our wife, our children, our co-workers. Everybody’s got a platform. It just so happens that, being the Head Coach of Clemson, I have several opportunities to speak. My father has ten times as many as I do.
"There is a Book of Life. When I die and stand before Him (God), He’s going to go down the list, and say, ‘Tommy Bowden, I let you be the Head Coach at Clemson December 3, 1998. You were the Head Coach for 15 years. Did you mention my name? Did you tell them? Could they see me through you?’ I’m going to be held accountable.
"Your platform is different. Your platform could be your wife. Your platform could be your son or daughter. Your platform could be a friend or a co-worker. You don’t have to be a great speaker. It could be what you say, what you do, how you act, how you react. That could be your platform. That could be your witness.
"We’re all going to have to answer when He says, ‘Did you tell them?’"
Tommy Bowden then introduced his father, who, he said, "has been telling them for a long time." Bobby Bowden, Florida State’s Head Football Coach since 1976, and a college coach for 52 years, has the most wins in Division 1A football, and has twice led the Seminoles to a national championship.
"I have to feel very lucky," Bobby Bowden said, referring to his career as well as to his upbringing in a Christian home.
"I was very lucky to have a mother and a father. Most of my players don’t have a family. They might have a mother, but most of the daddys are missing. And those boys need a daddy. Boys are raised by their mothers, and you wonder why they’re not tougher? The mother wakes them up in the morning. The mother makes their breakfast. The mother gets them dressed. The mother takes them to school. The mother picks them up after school. The mother takes them to football practice. The mother brings them back home. The mother cooks supper. The mother puts them to bed. The mother reads the Bible, if she does, and prays. The mother does it all. The boy grows up and wants to be a man — just like his mama."
He read a humorous poem about monkeys discounting the theory of evolution and saying that no monkey ever abandoned his family or used a gun or club or knife to kill, as some men do. "The monkeys even know better," he said.
"If you’ve coached as long as I have, and lived through as many generations as I have, you’ll see a lot of changes. One of the biggest changes I’ve seen is that boys are raised without a male figure in the home. I was very fortunate to have a mother and a father, and I was raised in a Christian home."
Bowden then shared his testimony, saying that, what he believes, with all of his heart, he would be willing to die for.
"I was raised in a Baptist church in Alabama, Ruhamah Baptist Church," he said. "When I was 11 years of age, I made a public profession, and I joined the church, because I knew my mama and daddy would make me, sooner or later. I joined the church and was baptized, and I thought that meant I was saved." It was at the age of 23, he said, that he found out about grace, that he discovered that his works alone could not save him, because he would never be ‘good enough’ to go to heaven, that Christ had died for him and his sins, and that he must accept Him as his Saviour and commit his life to Him. "When I was 23, I committed my life to Christ. I asked God to forgive me for the bad things I had done. I finally learned that I was saved through grace. The sins that I had committed, and the sins that I commit today, God has forgiven me because I confessed to God that I had sinned, and I asked for forgiveness. I know I’m unworthy. I believe. I trust him. I commit my life to Him.
"In 1953, when I was 23 years of age, I committed my life to Christ, and I said, ‘God, I would love to serve you through football.’" From that day through the present, Bowden credits God with giving him his every job in football, jobs that he never applied for: Assistant Coach at his alma mater, Howard College (now known as Samford University) in Birmingham, Alabama for two years; Head Football Coach at South Georgia College for four years; Head Coach at Howard College for four years; Assistant Coach at Florida State University for three years; Offensive Coordinator at West Virginia University for four years; Head Coach at West Virginia University for six years; and Head Coach at Florida State University for three decades.
"Every job was given to me," he said. "I think it was an answer to prayer, because I’ve always asked God to lead me. I can’t take credit for it. I tried to make myself available, and God has done what He has done. What God asks of you and what Jesus asks of you, if you accept Him as your Saviour, is to make yourself available. Is that too hard? He says, ‘Make yourself available, and I’ll do for you like I did for Bobby Bowden.’ The main thing is you have to put Christ first.
"As I said, I was about 23 when I realized I had to have a Saviour. The biggest question facing men is, Are you saved? Are you saved? If you’re not, what in the world are you waiting on? You cannot afford to go to your grave being unsaved."
Referring to the tsunami which killed thousands upon thousands in Asia, as well as the terrorist attack in America on September 11, 2001, Bowden asked, "Do you think they knew they were about to die? Why, no.
"Men, be ready. Be ready. Jesus said, ‘I’m going to prepare a place for you, and I’m coming back. I’m going to come back like a thief in the night, and you won’t know when I’m coming.’ We’ve got to be ready. How do you get ready? Confess your sins. I sin, like everybody else. I’ve sinned, but I’m saved, because I believe in Jesus. I confessed my sins to Him. I asked Him to forgive me. I trust Him. It is through Christ that I’m saved. I don’t deserve it. I’m no better than any man, but I’m saved."
Bowden then used an illustration, not from football, but from baseball, as he told his favorite story, an incident that happened his senior year of college.
He was the only member of the baseball team who had never hit a home run.
In a home game against Auburn, Bowden hit the ball hard, and, although it didn’t get high, it was a line drive between shortstop and second base.
"It gets through," he said. "I flip that bat and take off for first base. All I want to do is hit the inside of the bag and get to second, so I sort of slide my foot against that bag as I’m going to second.
"I can see the ball. It got through the centerfielder and the leftfielder, too. It’s rolling, and they’re running and chasing the ball. I hit second base. I can’t see the ball anymore, and I look at the third base coach. He’s waving me home. I hit third base, and I start for home, and he says, ‘But hurry.’ Boy, I start running to home plate. Meanwhile, the centerfielder gets the ball and fires it to the shortstop. The shortstop takes it and fires that thing home.
"Their catcher is squatted down and blocking the bag. I’m running as hard as I can. All of a sudden, his eyes start getting big, and I think, ‘Oh, that ball is about here.’
"I hit him as hard as I can hit him. I try to run right through him. About the time the ball hits his mitt, I hit him, and that bull jumps up in the air. We scramble around. I reach over the top, and hit home plate. The ump says, ‘You’re safe.’
"It’s a home run. I’ve never had one. I’m so excited and get up to brush the red mud off me. The players come off the bench and start shaking my hand. We didn’t have high five’s back in those days.
"Then, the first baseman yells to the catcher, ‘Hey, John, throw me the ball.’ The catcher gets the ball and throws that thing to the first baseman. He touches first base. The first base ump says, ‘You’re out. You missed first base.’
"I distinctly remember getting second. What had happened was, when I came inside first base and tried to hit it with the side of my foot, I didn’t quite get it. I missed it. I was out. I never got a home run in college.
"Here is the significance of that story. If you remember anything I say, remember this, as you go through life: First base is Jesus Christ. If you do everything else you could think of, to get to heaven, it won’t work. You must touch first base.
"Those sins that you did, those sins that you did today, He has forgiven you for that. His blood has already paid for that. The only thing you can do wrong is reject Him. The good news is that God rejects no man. The bad news is that man rejects God. It’s in your hands, so don’t let it slip. Don’t let it slip.
"Don’t gamble on it, folks. I can gamble in football. If it won’t work, I’ve got another game next week. There’s always another chance. But you can’t gamble with you’re your life. There are no exits in hell. There is no way out of hell. I hope to see every one of you in heaven one of these days."
Coaches Tommy and Bobby Bowden support FCA
By M. KAREN BREWER
If neither Tommy Bowden nor Bobby Bowden had been college football coaches, they claim they would probably have gone into Christian ministry. In fact, both coaches do a considerable amount of speaking in churches, sharing their faith and their testimonies, and influencing those with whom they come into contact.
Their faith is so important to them that, when fifteen-year-old Bowden Madden, Bobby’s grandson and Tommy’s nephew, and Bowden’s father, John Madden, were tragically killed in an automobile accident during Hurricane Frances in September, 2004, both coaches wanted to make sure that other family members took seriously the matter of salvation.
"My father wrote a very personal letter to me and my five brothers and sisters, stressing that we had better make sure our children understand salvation," said Tommy Bowden. "The letter was very specific, ‘black and white’, no gray area. Eternity is ‘black and white’, no gray area."
When father and son spoke at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ ‘Bowden Breakfast’, Tommy Bowden, himself a father to a son and daughter in their 20's, told the men in the audience that they would be held accountable for their children’s spiritual knowledge. "It is your responsibility, men, to understand where your children stand, spiritually, if they know Christ. Both of my children have accepted Christ publicly and are active in their Christian life, through Bible study and church attendance and how they live. I will be held accountable for that, just as you, men, will be held accountable for your children. It’s not your responsibility to drop off your children at church and pick them up. It’s your responsibility to be there with them."
Referring to that day in September, 2004, when the Bowden family experienced the first loss of immediate family members, Tommy Bowden said, "The core values of our responsibilities were reemphasized. When youth dies, it kind of hits home. It was a very difficult time, but it was an opportunity for us, as a family, to reevaluate our personal spiritual lives and the spiritual lives of our children, and it offered us an opportunity, under the scope of national media, to mention salvation."
"I lost a grandson and a son-in-law," said Bobby Bowden, adding, "We never expect a young person to die.
"I’ve always believed in life after death," he continued. "I’ve always believed that life after death is going to be so much greater than it is here on this earth. They’re a lot happier there. People have a hard time understanding that. They think that it’s so good here, they don’t want to leave, but there is not one of us who’s not going to go. The main thing is to be ready. You and I are here on earth not very long. I’ve already spent 76 years here. How much longer have I got? But when I die, eternity goes on forever and ever and ever and ever. This is nothing. This is nothing. This is a little trial. We’re told how perfect heaven is, with no pain, no sorrow, and I believe it. How are we going to get there? By believing that Jesus died for our sins and was resurrected."
He related a story, which, he said, is "a great illustration of how important life after death is, compared to life here.
"A kid is having a good time playing with a beach ball, but then, it gets away from him, hits a thorn bush, and bursts. An adult comes up to him and says, ‘Hey, son, you’ve just won $100 million.’ But he’s still crying about the ball. $100 million means nothing to him. He says, ‘I want the ball.’ The man says, ‘You can buy a million balls with this.’ ‘No, I don’t want that. I want my ball.’ That’s kind of the way it is with us. While we’re here on earth, we like the ball, but that’s not the most important thing. God gave His Son, who died on the cross, so that you and I can live forever. We had better pay attention to that, hadn’t we, instead of that busted ball? Life doesn’t last long, and then you have forever. That’s what I believe. I’m positive. The older I get, the closer I get, and the readier I am to go.
"When I lose somebody, like a grandson, I’m thinking, ‘Bobby, God’s warning you again. You’re not going to be here forever. Bobby, don’t forget, Christ died for you.
"I see a good example of rising from the dead in the springtime, when I see a flower bloom. If you drop a seed in the ground, or a bulb in the ground, it dies, and then it germinates. It grows back and becomes a beautiful flower. If I can believe that, I can believe in Christ, can’t I? The same thing happened to him."
Both coaches are concerned about the spiritual condition not only of members of their family, but also members of their respective teams.
Although he wants to win another national championship at Florida State, Bobby Bowden said that that is not what keeps him in coaching. "I feel that, with all of the experience I’ve got, I can help young men," he said. "That’s what FCA is all about."
Most of his players, he said, have been raised without a father in the home. "Boys need a daddy," he said. "Young men need a male figure in the home. They’re raised by their mothers, and thank God for them, but where have the daddys gone? The boys need a male figure. That’s where Tommy and I, as coaches, have an opportunity and can maybe become that to these boys."
Tommy Bowden said that he has learned principles from Scripture on disciplining his team. "I believe that some of the great wisdom and knowledge on disciplining you can derive from the Bible," he said. "Two people on earth, Adam and Eve, had everything they wanted. God gave them everything, and they lacked nothing. Their father was God Almighty, Himself. It seems to me that He would be a pretty good role model, for a man and a woman to be successful in life. But they messed up. He didn’t kill them on the spot. There was discipline involved, but He didn’t write them off and forget about them. A lot of these young men were not afforded the opportunity that I was afforded, with a father and a mother available, as far as with guidance and discipline and direction, self-esteem, confidence, and making decisions between right and wrong.
"The Bible is a book about making good decisions. If a young man wants to be successful in life, he had better learn how to make good decisions. FCA promotes the Bible, character, morals, and ethics. To me, some great lessons can be learned there as far as discipline. I base decisions from Scripture on how I discipline my athletes. It gets blown out of proportion by the media. The media wants to get involved and tell you how to discipline a young man, when they have no background information whatsoever."
"He’s a second chance coach, and so am I," said Bobby Bowden. "I don’t want to kick a boy back on the street. Most of our players didn’t have a daddy in the home to say, ‘Son, don’t do this, don’t do that.’ When he makes a terrible mistake, if I can save him, I’m going to save him. But, just because we don’t kick them off the team, that doesn’t mean we don’t punish them. They may be running up and down the stadium steps every morning at 6:00 for two weeks. I tell my coaches, ‘Let’s discipline him enough to where he won’t want to do it again.’ That works on most of them, because they don’t do it again. But if he does it again and again, I’ve got to let him go, because I’ve got those other guys watching to see what happens. But they know I’m going to try to protect them if I can. Somebody gave me a second chance when I was coming up."
Tommy Bowden referred to the influence of the FCA on his team as well as the influence of Tony Eubanks, whom he hired as Clemson’s team chaplain and who also spoke at the Bowden Breakfast.
"In order for me to be successful at Clemson in wins and losses, or in order to be successful in marriage, or in order for a businessman to be successful, in about any avenue you choose to go into, I think there are five characteristics you better have firmly planted deep within your core: an understanding of responsibility, an understanding of accountability if you don’t handle that responsibility, understanding that there will be commitment involved, that there will be discipline involved, and that there will be sacrifice involved.
"If I could get my team to understand that there is responsibility—you had better block that guy, and, if you don’t block that guy, you’re held accountable. Accountability is going to be the bench—you won’t be playing very much. Commitment to practice, to winning the game. The rewards are fun, yes, but we need to win the game. Sacrifice. Discipline. Those things will be my marriage for the team.
"Look at Christianity—the life of Christ, principles of the Bible. Look at Jesus, Himself. Did He understand commitment? Did He understand sacrifice? Did He understand discipline? Did He understand responsibility? Did He understand accountability?
"Character, principles, ethics, morality, and the Bible are important to me," Bowden continued. "Christianity is about that. Christ’s life is about that. As a football coach, if I can get my team to incorporate those values deep within their value system, I’ve got a chance to be successful.
"Therefore, why would I not want to marry the FCA or Christianity with my team? If that’s what I need to be successful, from a secular standpoint, why not take those characteristics of the FCA and intermarry those, somehow unify them, bring them together?
"FCA affords us that opportunity legally. They can go into junior high schools, high schools, and colleges and promote Christian values and Christian ethics and the core beliefs and principles. Organizations such as this benefit today’s youth.
"As my father said, the family structure has changed. Therefore, supporting this organization so it can get embedded in the minds and hearts and souls of a high school player or college player, I think is going to be very valuable and instrumental for the direction of this country from a morality standpoint."
He closed by saying that, when he dies, he believes he will stand before God. "If you believe in the Bible, you know you’re going to meet your maker," he said. "I know, for a fact, that, when I stand before God, He is going to say to me, ‘Tommy Bowden, I let you become the Head Coach at Clemson December 3, 1998. I let you be the Head Coach for 15 years. Every year, you had 85 student athletes, 15 walk-ons, support staff.’ He’s going to look me eye to eye and say, ‘Did you mention my name? Did you tell them? Could they see me through you?’ I will be held accountable."
Others, he said, will be held accountable for their spouses or their children or in supporting organizations such as FCA. "This is a great organization," he said. "This is one of the last strongholds to save our youth and to put morality at a different level in this country."
Will Merritt, of WCCP Radio’s ‘Opening Drive’ and the Clemson Network, played for the Clemson Tigers under Coach Tommy Bowden. "The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is making a difference," Merritt said at the FCA ‘Bowden Breakfast.’ "FCA and sharing the Gospel mean a lot to both gentlemen. Both of these men not only have the attention and notoriety, but they reflect Jesus Christ."
Dal Shealy, father of Northwest SC FCA Area Director Lance Shealy, as well as past FCA President for 13 years, and currently the Executive Director of the FCA Football Coaches Ministry, thanked both Coach Bowdens for their commitment to God. "They teach the strategies and skills of the sport of football," he said, "but they also teach young men about being people of character.
"Coach Bobby Bowden and Coach Tommy Bowden are two of the all-stars in FCA, as well as being good coaches," Shealy continued. "Two years ago, Coach Bobby Bowden received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the American Football Coaches Association Convention from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. At the upcoming American Football Coaches Association Convention, Coach Tommy Bowden will receive the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Coach of the Year Award. We are fortunate to have them as ‘teammates.'"
Photos by Mark Crammer
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These stories, originally published in The Christian View magazine, may not be reprinted in part or whole without prior written permission from the author. Photos may not be used without prior written permission from the photographer.
Appreciation is extended to Clemson Tigers Head Football Coach Tommy Bowden for permission to print his poems in the inaugural issue of The Christian View magazine as well as here on this website -- and even greater appreciation for his Christian testimony.
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