POLK COUNTY, Fla. — The grandson of Hall of Fame college football coach Bobby Bowden was killed in a one car automobile accident in Florida on Thursday.
Taylor Jeffrey Bowden, 23, and driver Rafael Fernandes De Aguiar Valim, 25, died in the crash, according to a news release from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. A third man in the crash — 22-year-old Robert Lewis Edwards — was rescued after spending hours in water up to his neck.
T.J. Bowden was the son of Jeff Bowden.
“Our whole family had just celebrated Christmas together in Panama City, as well as celebrated T.J.’s graduation from Florida State just three weeks ago,” Bobby Bowden said in a statement released by the University of Akron, where son Terry is the football coach. “We will cherish those last memories
Jeff Bowden is a University of Akron football assistant coach. That program already experienced tragedy this week when 44-year old offensive line and assistant head coach Alan Arrington was killed in a car crash Monday.
Bobby Bowden coached the Mountaineers between 1970-75. He coached at Florida State between 1976-2009. The 84-year-old holds the NCAA Division I record for career wins and bowl victories and he won two national championships at FSU.