<p>TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Bobby Bowden, the former Florida State football coach who led the Seminoles to two national titles, received the inaugural Florida Medal of Freedom at a ceremony Wednesday hosted by Gov. Ron DeSantis.</p>
<p>Bowden, 91, is one of college football’s winningest coach. He coached Florida State from 1976 to 2009, winning national titles in 1993 and 1999.</p>
<p>“I appreciate you giving me this honor. I will cherish it the rest of my life,” Bowden said after the governor and other speakers hailed him for his work not only as a coach but as a mentor to the hundreds of young men he assembled for his teams.</p>
<p>The state’s medal of freedom recognizes “any person who has made and especially meritorious contribution to the interest in citizens of the state and culture public and private endeavor.”</p>
<p>Bowden left Florida State under a cloud because of an academic cheating scandal that prompted the NCAA to strip the team of several victories.</p>
