Starting tomorrow, Sun Sports and Fox Sports Florida will air a new documentary on former Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden who retired after the 2009-2010 college football season. I do have an advanced copy so expect a review of this either late tonight or sometime tomorrow before the first airing. Here are the details of the contents.
FSU TELEVISION ADVISORY“Bobby: Reflections of a Legend” Premieres Tuesday 8:00pm ET exclusively on Sun SportsORLANDO – Tuesday, January 26, at 8:00pm ET, Sun Sports, the regional television home for the Seminoles for 20+ years, will premiere a riveting, one-of-a-kind TV special on Bobby Bowden, entitled “Bobby: Reflections of a Legend.”This is not your ordinary TV profile highlighting his career. It will be a more personal look at what makes Bobby Bowden who he is, and much, much more.A must-see television program for FSU fans produced by the network that has covered the ‘Noles and Coach Bowden for more than two decades, the one-hour program will also air on other FOX regional sports networks across the U.S., including Sun Sports’ sister network FOX Sports Florida.Here’s what viewers can expect to see….The show looks at what makes Bobby Bowden tick…a look at both his personal and professional make-up. There are recollections from people who know him well from all eras, plus a conversation with Bobby himself. In the most basic terms, this is, aside from wins and losses, and aside from maybe even football, a study of why Bobby Bowden is who he is. Also, it’s candid reactions from people to his departure, and a very recent conversation with Bobby about his own feelings and what’s next for him.Throughout all of this, Sun Sports weaves in and out of segments & topics using footage from Coach Bowden’s last game, the 2010 Gator Bowl in Jacksonville. The network also includes quite a bit of historical footage from over 30 years of his celebrated career.Additional content that did not make it into the final show will also be available on the network’s website, FoxSportsFlorida.com.Again, this is NOT another “recap” type of show recounting records, numbers, and the A-Z story of Bobby’s life and times. Sun Sports’ producers felt it was very important to try and produce something different & unique.Segments are broken down as follows:1. Opening…reactions to Bobby’s retirement announcement, thoughts on health and what motivated Bobby to continue to the age of 80. Narrated by Keith Jones.2. “The Bowden Way” (Bobby’s approach to the game, approach to coaching, dealing with players). How Bobby defined it, how his players defined it. Why Bobby’s way of doing things was successful. Narrated by William Floyd.3. Relationships with players and relationships with people. Bobby’s folksy charm, but also strong leadership. Narrated by Keith Jones.4. Recruiting tales. Former players recount how Bobby won them over. (i.e. Kirk Carruthers recalling how Bowden visited his home and while leaving threw a snowball back at the family with a smile. Ken Alexander’s mother sharing recipes in the kitchen with Bobby, etc.). Narrated by William Floyd.5. Bowden’s relationship with the media. How he set about to work well with the press, and why he was so successful at it. Narrated by Paul Kennedy.6. The final stretch..Bobby’s candid thoughts. Narrated by Paul Kennedy.7. Closing…what’s next. The future. How others remember Bobby, and how Bobby would like to be remembered. Narrated by Keith Jones.With a bit of a documentary approach, the show is unhosted as the network uses three people to narrate instead. The narrators do include some personal recollections as well as lead us through our topics. The show is narrated by:– Keith Jones, Sun Sports’ “Prime Time Noles” TV analyst since 1989 & former safety at FSU under Bowden (’78-’80)– William Floyd, FSU football radio analyst & former fullback at FSU from ’91-‘93– Paul Kennedy, Sun Sports’ “Prime Time Noles” TV play-by-play announcer since 1989Throughout the show, viewers will hear from:– Bobby Bowden– Keith Jones, “Prime Time Noles” analyst and safety at FSU under Bowden (1978-80)– Peter Boulware, FSU DL (94-96)– Odell Haggins, FSU DL (86-89) and current FSU assistant coach– Clint Purvis, FSU football team chaplain– Billy Smith, Florida State Trooper (accompanied Bowden to and from games, events, etc. throughout Bobby’s 34 years at FSU)– Ken Alexander, FSU LB (90-93)– Kez McCorvey, FSU WR (91-94)– Shannon Baker, FSU WR (89-92)– Kirk Carruthers, FSU LB (88-91)– Ron Dugans, FSU wide receiver (95-99)– Gene Deckerhoff, “Voice of the Seminoles” and co-host of “The Bobby Bowden Show”– Corey Simon, FSU defensive lineman (96-99)– Chuck Amato, FSU assistant coach (1982-1999, 2007-2009)– Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel Sports Columnist
This looks like quite the labor of love for those who produced the special.
