Quotes by Bobby Bowden

“He doesnt know the meaning of the word fear, but then again he doesnt know the meaning of most words”

“To have the kind of year you want to have, something has to happen that you cant explain why it happened, ... Something has to happen that you cant coach.”

“I am Exhibition B. Joe is Exhibition A. Thats all we are. Theres a game in there somewhere -- Penn State and Florida State are playing.”

“I thought Joe was gonna tackle the dad-gum horse. I was gonna tell him, Go high on him, dont go low. I remember Joe running out there and getting upset about that.”

“He who gets the best players usually wins.”

“I guess Ill retire someday if I live that long.”

“I am an exhibit. Joe is exhibit A. Theres a game somewhere. Penn State and Florida State are playing. Were just an exhibit.”

“He died right after he retired, and seeing that made me feel more conscious of a man needing a motive to live. If I ever got out of coaching, I would have to get a job somewhere, or Im afraid Id wilt on the vine, too.”

“Well, (Ann) brought a tree and bought Christmas packages for the whole world, and what she didnt buy, she charged. Im the only one to lose money at a bowl.”

“Ive always said it takes more courage to stand back there and throw a ball knowing youre fixing to get drilled than anything I can think of in football.”

A guys who has all the money he needs and never faced any hard times, he wont have any character. But when youve had it tough and youve had it rough and you thought you were at the end of the rope and you work your way out of it, thats the way you build character.

Faith is the most important thing in the world to me. Its the greatest strength Ive had. Its helped me get through the hard times. Youre not going to win every one of your football games. Ive always said Im not going to make football my god. A lot of coaches put so much into coaching football games that they have nothing left.

To have the kind of year you want to have, something has to happen that you cant explain why it happened. Something has to happen that you cant coach.

Ive never made football my priority. My priorities are my faith and my dependence on God.

I was always going to church with my mom, dad and sister. I was literally raised under the godly influence both at home and church. There was no alcohol and no smoking at our house. That was the way a Bowden was supposed to live. My dad always told me to represent the Bowden name in a respectful manner.