Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
The Seminoles have had to endure more than most teams this season.
By BRIAN LANDMAN
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 22, 2001
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Even if it's for just a few hours, Florida State coach Bobby Bowden hopes his Seminoles find today's game against North Carolina an escape.
In February, the players had to endure the sudden death of teammate Devaughn Darling. On Sept. 11, they, like most everyone else in the nation, sat transfixed watching the horrific terrorists attacks. Then on Monday, they learned that teammate Eric Powell had been shot in the back during an apparent robbery attempt.
"I can't even believe it; it's just been something time after time," Bowden said. "I haven't seen them moping around. I haven't seen them dragging. But I know in the back of their minds, they know what's happened and it's on their minds."
Junior tailback Nick Maddox freely admitted the attention of the No. 6-ranked Seminoles (2-0, 1-0 ACC) hasn't been squarely set on the Tar Heels (0-3, 0-1).
How could it?
"It's been slowly but surely getting back to where it needs to be, but with so many things going on, it's not totally where it needs to be right now," he said recently. "Especially with Eric. Him being our teammate, our brother and our friend, we worry about him and hope he has a speedy recovery."
Powell, 21, a senior defensive end, continued to improve slowly on Friday, Orlando Regional Medical Center spokesman Joe Brown said. He said Powell could be discharged in 1-3 days, "it's hard to say; it's always the physician's discretion."
Still, coming less than a week after the devastation of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Bowden said Powell's shooting hit the Seminoles like a "double shot."
That to a group that still understandably feels the pain of Darling's sudden death. The Seminoles are wearing a patch with Darling's No. 53 on their jerseys.
In fact, in the days after the attack, athletic director Dave Hart advocated postponing all ACC games on Sept. 15 in part to give the FSU players more time to deal with another blow -- the enormous loss of life in New York, at the Pentagon and outside Pittsburgh.
"We are sensitized beyond the norm; we've gone through a tragedy," he said. "We've lost a player. That's pretty hard if you haven't walked in those shoes to explain to people who haven't been there. This tragedy hits our players harder than other institutions because of what our players have already been through. Did I put a high priority on that? Yes I did."
With a respite, Bowden and Maddox said the return to the field could be a psychological sanctuary for everyone.
"It probably is a buffer because when they get off the field and pass a television or look at a paper, they're reminded of what's happened," Bowden said.
"That's the place where we should all let it go and concentrate on football and getting better at that and just let all our problems go to the side," Maddox said.
UNC coach John Bunting is counting on a similar reaction from his players, who have had to deal with the frustration of losing as well as the fear and anger resulting from the acts of terrorism.
"All of us in the coaching world would probably be concerned about focus," he said. "It's hard for me as a human being, as an American, to focus with all the tragedy that has befallen us and all the uncertainty as to what may take place.
"It's difficult, but I think our players have enjoyed being out there at practice and trying to get their minds off some of the problems in our world. Keep in mind, it is a game. It is a fun game. ... But as we try, try to get back to a normal way of living here in the United States, football's a big part of the fall. Yes, I do think it's a good way to lose some of the focus of all the bad that has happened and try to get back to some of the good things that happen in our great country."
Even if it's for just a few hours.
WHEN/WHERE: Noon; Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, N.C.
TV/RADIO: Ch. 28; WWBA-AM 1040, WZHR-AM 1400, WAMR-AM 1320; WOCA-AM 1370; WXOF-FM 96.3.
COACHES: FSU -- Bobby Bowden (244-55-4, 26th season; 317-87-4, 36 years overall). UNC -- John Bunting (0-3, first season; 38-16, five years overall).
LINE: FSU by 161/2.