Like most of America, Barbara and I loved Bobby Bowden. Bobby Bowden was the salt of the earth. He was as straight-forward, as honest, and as caring as any man you would want to know.

I remember going through the process when Coach Bowden recruited my son Steve to Florida State. Bobby couldn’t have been nicer from day one, and he never changed. As Steve went through school, he remained that same person. Bobby was always cordial and treated Steve so well. He went out of his way to always make our family feel comfortable when we saw him or called him. Even after Steve graduated, Bobby kept in touch and took the time to write me a personal note after the 1986 Masters. He was just a really special man.

Barbara and I send our best to his wife Ann, their six children, and the entire Bowden family. That includes the very large extended family across America who loved him. Bobby Bowden will be dearly missed.

—Jack

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