© 2026 WFSU Public Media
WFSU News · Tallahassee · Panama City · Thomasville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Tallahassee International Airport officially renamed to honor Bobby Bowden

FILE - In this Dec. 3, 1977, file photo, Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden is carried on the shoulders of defensive end Willie Jones (88) and nose guard Ron Simmons (50) after the team defeated Florida 37-9 in a college football game in Gainesville, Fla.  (AP Photo/File)
DJ/AP
/
AP
FILE - In this Dec. 3, 1977, file photo, Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden is carried on the shoulders of defensive end Willie Jones (88) and nose guard Ron Simmons (50) after the team defeated Florida 37-9 in a college football game in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/File)

Tallahassee’s airport was officially dedicated Tuesday after former Florida State University Football Coach Bobby Bowden.

Governor Ron DeSantis held a ceremony close to the airport to officially sign the bill renaming the airport to Bobby Bowden-Tallahassee International Airport.

“Coach Bowden was a college football legend, and it is fitting that we honor his legacy in a way that will be seen by all who travel to and from our capital city,” he said.

Bowden’s daughter, Panhandle-area State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden, attended the signing.

“Daddy spent so many hours in the terminals of the Tallahassee airport over his 46 years in this great city, so it feels appropriate that it now bears his name,” she said.

During the ceremony, DeSantis also made a transportation announcement for the region. He announced the first phase of the Florida Department of Transportation widening and improvement project for Capital Circle from Springhill Road to orange Avenue would open a full year ahead of schedule.

Tristan Wood is a senior producer and host with WFSU Public Media. A South Florida native and University of Florida graduate, he focuses on state government in the Sunshine State and local panhandle political happenings.