Birmingham native Bobby Bowden (center) poses with the Alabama Football Legend Award, presented by Regions Bank at the 2014 Raycom Media Camellia Bowl luncheon at the Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery, Dec. 19, 2014.
The former Florida State University head coach attended Woodlawn High School in Birmingham and spent one season as a freshman quarterback at the University of Alabama in 1948. He then transferred to Howard College (now Samford University) in Birmingham where he played quarterback and running back.
He returned to Howard first as offensive coordinator from 1949 to 1952 then as head coach from 1959 to 1962 before leaving for West Virginia University and then Florida State. Bowden was raised in the former Ruhama Baptist Church, Birmingham.
“Nothing that you receive is any higher honor than when it comes from the state of Alabama,” Bowden said. “That is where I was raised. I’m really happy and pleased the Camellia Bowl has selected me for this honor.”
Annual award
Pictured with Bowden are Johnny Williams (left), executive director of the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl, and Gov. Robert Bentley. Williams said the award will be given annually to honor a different coach or player with Alabama ties that has contributed to the growth of football.
Williams said, “We are pleased to have Coach Bobby Bowden as the first Alabama Football Legend. We are very appreciative to Coach Bowden for his service to college football.”
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