In recognition of his dedication to putting Christ above himself on and off the field, even when football fans across the nation aren’t watching, Flames quarterback Malik Willis was presented with the 2021 Bobby Bowden Trophy during Liberty University’s Convocation on Wednesday morning in the Vines Center. The annual award recognizes the college football player who epitomizes a student-athlete of faith.
“It’s more than an honor, I’m more than blessed to receive this award,” Willis said during the presentation. “I can’t do anything but give the glory to God, and my parents, and thank Liberty University for having me.”
Willis was presented with the award by Bowden’s two sons, Tommy and Terry, following a panel discussion hosted by Samantha Ponder, a 2009 Liberty alumna and host of ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown.” Ponder’s husband, former NFL quarterback and 2010 Bowden Trophy winner Christian Ponder, joined her on the panel, along with Willis and Flames Football Head Coach Hugh Freeze.
The late Bobby Bowden, a longtime head coach for Florida State University, is a college football legend, having won two national championships and 12 ACC titles among other achievements. But every guest onstage Wednesday attested to the way Bowden approached his coaching career with faith and people as his priorities. During Bowden’s funeral last year, those who spoke shared memories of his character and focus on faith, not football.
“They talked about his character, his relationship with Christ, and being a Godly father, coach, and man— that’s the legacy that he left,” said Tommy Bowden, who was Clemson’s head coach from 1999-2008.
“So much of my father’s life was looking at the inside of an athlete, looking at his spirit and soul, (learning) what the important things in his life were,” added Terry Bowden, who is currently the head coach for the Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks.
Having played for Bowden for four seasons, Christian Ponder shared two things about his coach that he has kept with him to this day: “Football was not his purpose; it was only the medium through which his purpose manifested itself. Every player that came into that locker room, he was going to share his faith (with them). He was also a man of fundamentals, whether it was in football or in life. He loved God, and he loved people.”
After video played of current Clemson Football Head Coach Dabo Sweeney talking about Bowden’s legacy, Freeze shared his own personal faith and coaching connection to the FSU icon. Freeze said Bowden was the first coach he can remember who was committed to coaching at the highest level while having an outspoken and deeply ingrained Christian faith. Recounting multiple times in his career in which he was able to meet with Bowden, Freeze said the coach constantly spurred him to find a purpose beyond the gridiron and to “trust your gut” while walking with the Lord.
These values and priorities that Bobby Bowden had are reflected today in Malik Willis, the guests noted, and Willis explained his philosophy regarding his life on and off the field.
“Football only lasts so long, and none of us are perfect, so you have to strive to be better and do something good,” Willis said. “We are all works in progress. When you have a grateful heart, it makes (life) easier.”
Samantha Ponder asked Willis how he will approach his budding professional football career and handle the countless eyes on him leading up to next month’s NFL Draft. His answer was simple: “Keep looking up (to God), don’t look out in front.”
Freeze noted that after every game Willis played at Liberty, whether a win or a loss, and no matter how well his individual performance was, Willis would post on his social media the concise but poignant phrase, “Thank God for everything” or the acronym “TGFE.”
Leading up to the presentation of the Bowden Trophy, the Bowden brothers told Willis how well he truly embodies their father’s philosophy.
“The Bowdens are very honored that you are the recipient and could not have picked a better winner,” Tommy said.
“What I think made my father different and what makes you different is not just that you’re a leader quarterback, but that you’re also a servant quarterback like how he was a servant coach,” Terry said.
Wednesday’s Convocation followed an exciting Football Pro Day at Liberty on Tuesday, in which representatives from all 32 NFL franchises — more than 60 NFL team personnel, including two NFL head coaches and four NFL general managers — came to campus to watch Liberty’s 17 draft-eligible players display their skills.
Malik Willis was not the only Liberty student recognized during Wednesday’s Convocation for recent achievements in sports, as NASCAR Cup Series driver and current online student William Byron surprised the crowd to commemorate his thrilling win at Sunday’s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the No. 24 Liberty car. Byron expressed his gratitude to Liberty and its community who have supported him as his professional racing career has reached new milestones. Before Byron was welcomed to the stage, Liberty President Jerry Prevo welcomed Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, who shared about his longtime relationship with Liberty and support for the university’s Christian mission
ABOUT LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
Liberty University, founded in 1971, is the world’s premier Christian university, one of the largest private, nonprofit universities in the nation, and the largest university in Virginia. Located near the Blue Ridge Mountains on more than 7,000 acres in Lynchburg, Va., Liberty utilizes its world-class infrastructure and Christian faculty to offer more than 700 unique programs of study from the certificate to the doctoral level. Over 450 programs are offered online. In the 2021-22 academic year, Liberty is celebrating its 50th Anniversary as it continues to fulfill its original mission of Training Champions for Christ with the values, knowledge, and skills essential for impacting tomorrow’s world.