Stamp of approval

Flight 93 hero's foundation OKs Bowden's choice of slogan

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- The foundation named after the man who yelled "Let's Roll" as passengers charged hijackers aboard a flight last Sept. 11 said Wednesday it's honored Florida State's football team adopted the saying as its motto.

Douglas MacMillan, chief executive officer of the Todd Beamer Foundation, was responding to those who said coach Bobby Bowden showed insensitivity by adopting the slogan.

"His use is strictly for inspirational and motivational application," MacMillan said. "It's a way to keep Todd's memory in the forefront of people's minds."

Beamer, a sports enthusiast who played baseball and basketball in college, cried "Let's Roll!" on an in-flight phone as passengers prepared to confront hijackers on a United Flight last Sept. 11.

Officials believe the hijackers intended to crash the plane into the White House or Capitol, but it crashed into a rural area in Pennsylvania instead.

MacMillan said Beamer's widow, Lisa, was excited about the Florida State team adopting the motto for its upcoming season.

"She said, 'That's great,"' related MacMillan, who plans to bring T-shirts and hats from the foundation to Florida State sometime next week.

Poor taste Select a link to launch a video clip CNN's Keith Olbermann criticizes FSU's adoption of the slogan. Video Plus Visit Video Plus for all the latest video and audio.

MacMillan said Bowden's choice coincides with the New Jersey-based foundation's motto "to equip children experiencing family trauma to make heroic choices every day."

Bowden had received some criticism in recent days on radio talk shows and from some newspaper columnists who thought the slogan trivialized the Sept. 11 events. Bowden called the criticism "stupid."

MacMillan said he and Lisa Beamer agree with the 72-year-old Florida State coach.

"'Let's roll' for them is a way of really attaching themselves to the patriotic feeling that this nation has adopted more so since Sept. 11," MacMillan said.

President Bush has often repeated the phrase to rally Americans in the war on terrorism.

The Seminoles, who slumped to an 8-4 record last season after 14 years of 10 wins or more, choose a new slogan every year. Bowden has usually let his players make the decision, but he chose "Let's Roll."

 

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