FSU freshman football players write thank you notes to local family for its hospitality
Florida State football coach Mike Norvell often speaks of accountability, expectations and culture within his program.
He also teaches his players real-life applications.
That includes writing thank you notes - often described as a fading practice.
It’s far easier and quicker in this increasingly informal digital world to email or text message. One global tech company said Americans check their cell phones 96 times a day – that’s once every 10 minutes.
So imagine Clint Wallace’s surprise when his family received 12 handwritten thank you notes in the mailbox from FSU football players.
“Coach Norvell and his staff are teaching these guys more than just football,” an appreciative Wallace, an FSU graduate and local lawyer, told the Democrat Saturday.
Competition and FSU trivia part of menu at Wallace home for FSU freshman football players
Wallace, 41, and his wife Elizabeth, also an FSU graduate, hosted several incoming Seminole freshman football players at their home Thursday, June 15. The visit was permitted under NCAA rules.
Among the highlights was the competition between Wallace’s three young sons (Reynolds, Caid and Steele) and other children with players in free throws, corn hole and FSU trivia.
When rain interrupted the competition, the group cheered as it watched video highlights of former FSU and NFL cornerback Corey Fuller, also in attendance and the Seminoles’ director of football relations.
Wallace’s 9-year-old son Caid made a handwritten championship certificate. When the weather cleared, it was presented it to overall champion/quarterback Brock Glenn. (FSU fans will certainly love Glenn's accuracy - he dropped all five of his beanbag tosses from more than 20 feet away into the board's hole in cornhole).
Wallace described the players as "super well mannered" and "awesome" with the kids. Within a week, a handwritten thank you note from each player arrived in Wallace's home mailbox.
“Imagine the excitement (sons) to receive a letter in the mail from an FSU player,” Wallace said.
“They were fired up. Caid has the letter on the night stand next to his bed.”
Connecting FSU eras from Bobby Bowden to Mike Norvell
FSU is coming off a breakthrough 10-win season and has returned to the national conversation under Norvell. The team could be positioned this season for the program's first playoff trip since 2014 due to returning talent, led by Heisman Trophy candidate in quarterback Jordan Travis, and transfer portal additions.
The energized fourth-year coach believes in his team’s direction. He points to the steps, growth and relationships built daily within and beyond his program.
Norvell lives what he preaches, too.
Last February, for example, he attended the 84th Brighton Field Day Festival in Okeechobee, The event is hosted annually by the Seminole Tribe of Florida and gives people the chance to experience Seminole and native culture. FSU and the Seminole Tribe of Florida have long stood together behind the university's use of the Seminoles nickname.
While Norvell's visit wasn't publicized, he thanked the Seminole Tribe of Florida on social media for its hospitality and the opportunity to be part of a "wonderful event." Kyle Doney, an FSU graduate and deputy executive director of the Native Learning Center, was impressed by Norvell's demeanor and positive energy.
"He's a regular guy and is what you see - he doesn't have an inflated ego," Doney told the Democrat following the event. "Coach wanted to learn about the event and why we have it. He was really engaged."
When Norvell arrived in Tallahassee in 2019, he often spoke of his admiration for FSU's legendary coach Bobby Bowden. Norvell says he aspires to reach the bar set by Bowden, who built the Seminoles into a powerhouse with two national titles.
Bowden, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 91, was often looked at as a father figure and mentor by his players.
Bowden and wife Ann annually welcomed recruits into their home for desserts that featured homemade peach and peanut butter ice cream. They also cooked steaks on the grill for senior players at season's end.
Ann Bowden told the Democrat Saturday she believes those get-togethers – including the event hosted by the Wallace family – are important. She also commended FSU’s players for taking the time to write thank you notes to the Wallace family.
It can be a simple but meaningful gesture.
“I think any time you have the chance to get together it makes you a better football team,” said Ann, who recently returned home after she spent time with family over the July 4th weekend. “We had a close (football) staff, It’s important that you care for each other.”
Wallace is a believer.
He shared a photograph of the handwritten envelopes addressed to his family from the FSU players on Facebook Friday. It immediately attracted support and comments from The Seminole Nation.
“While almost every other program only cares about on the field performance, FSU is working to build the complete man both on and off the field,” Wallace posted.
“Super excited and proud of the culture Coach Norvell and the team are building!”
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU freshman football players mail thank you notes to family
