CLEMSON, S.C. - Clemson coach Tommy Bowden knew he couldn't handle his family tragedy alone. So he asked his players for help in his time of grief and pain.
In an emotional meeting with his seniors Monday, Bowden broke the news of the deaths of his former brother-in-law John Madden and a 15-year-old nephew Bowden Madden in a Florida traffic accident. Bowden then asked their cooperation to keep the team's focus on football and not the Bowden family.
No. 20 Clemson (1-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) prepares to face Georgia Tech (1-0) on Saturday night.
``I've never seen coach Bowden emotional like that,'' defensive lineman Eric Coleman said Tuesday. ``It took me by shock.''
Bowden said he'll likely miss practice Thursday to attend the family funeral. The loss shook Bowden, who remembered his sister Ginger's son as a budding Clemson fan he sent Tiger workout gear to.
``It's tough, in a situation like this you lose two, you don't lose one,'' Bowden said, eyes red as he briefly discussed the deaths. ``You lose a son-in-law, you lose a nephew. My sister lost a husband, her children lost a father. She lost a child and a husband. It's a double loss and it's difficult. And it's the first one so it makes it difficult.''
The family's loss ``reintroduces you to your priorities,'' Bowden said. ``Which for me are my Christian faith, my family and my profession. My Christian faith helps me understand the most important thing.''
Bowden knows he can't minimalize his position. His team is followed by thousands of fans and generates millions of dollars for the school. This week, Bowden says he'll do the best he can to keep the family grief on one side and football preparations on other.
``My faith helps me compartmentalize,'' he said.
``God bless you, coach,'' said an audience member.
Family has never been far from Bowden's tenure at Clemson.
Bowden's brother-in-law Jack Hines, Clemson's tight ends coach, has been on the Tigers' staff all six seasons with Bowden.
In 1999, the nation tuned in to the first Bowden Bowl when Florida State coach and Tommy's father Bobby won his 300th game at Death Valley. Tommy's mother, Ann, sat in the stands wearing a knit sweater half Clemson and half Florida State.
That November week, the family, grandfather included, trekked to Travelers Rest High School to watch Tommy's son Ryan play in a high school football game.
Defensive coordinator John Lovett says all the assistants will direct players' thoughts on the game this week and the Bowden family's sorrow. Lovett said the deaths were a personal matter that shouldn't affect the game. ``I'm surprised that it's on ESPN ticker,'' he said. ``To me, that's not where it should be announced. It's personal to the family.''
Clemson center Tommy Sharpe said the players' role this week is to prepare thoroughly and be ready for Saturday's game.
``The man's under a lot of stress right now,'' said Sharpe, a former roommate of Ryan Bowden.
Tommy Bowden ``knows we feel for him,'' Sharpe said. ``Sitting around talking about it is not going to help anybody. He's going through a lot of loss and the best way to respect him as a coach and a person is going out and practicing as hard as we can.''
It's not the first time Clemson has played through pain. A year ago this week, longtime broadcaster Jim Phillips ``The Voice of the Tigers'' for more than three decades died suddenly only days after calling a Clemson game on radio.
The week was an emotional one for Bowden, the staff and the players, who responded the next Saturday with a 37-14 victory over Middle Tennessee.
``There were a lot of heavy hearts,'' defensive end Mo Fountain said. ``Just like there will be with coach Bowden.''
Monday
June 2nd, 2025
9:02AM
