There is NOTHING like watching Osceola plant the spear on the 50 yard line before a Florida State University Seminole home game!

The roar of the crowd with the war chant can send chills down your spine.

It is hard to believe that it has been nearly 50 years since the first Osceola astride a speckled Appaloosa named Renegade planted the first of many flaming spears on the field at Doak Campbell Stadium on what is now Bobby Bowden Field.

One of the few sporting teams still allowed to carry the name related to Native Americans; everything the Seminoles do from logos, uniform designs, and even Osceola and Renegade must have the approval of the Seminole Nation of Florida’s Tribal Council approval.

When Bobby Bowden took over the coaching duties in 1976 the tradition began but the idea for the now iconic planting of the spear began with Bill Durham when he was a student at FSU and a member of the homecoming committee.  He wanted to have some representation of Native American traditions as a part of the festivities.  He was repeatedly denied the idea of a horse and rider; but when Bobby Bowden arrived, Durham found an ally who was excited about the idea.  Durham contacted the Seminole Nation and a tradition was born!

While Osceola’s regalia and face paint are handled by the Nation, Durham’s family takes care of the horses and is the liaison with the Seminole Nation.  Durham’s own son Allen was once one of the riders.

All Osceola’s – the name of the greatest Seminole war chief – are FSU students and must go through an arduous interview and apprenticeship process that includes being able to handle a horse.

Former Oscela Lincoln Golike spoke on the tradition saying, “I may be biased, but this is probably one of, if not the greatest, tradition in college football.  And not just because it represents FSU, but because it represents the Seminole Tribe as well. It goes deeper than college football tradition. It goes deeper than just college football. The roots run deep.”

Osceola and Renegade made their debut on September 16, 1978.  In 2014, Renegade and Osceola made the trip across country to join the Seminoles at the Rose Bowl for the final BCS National Championship game.

Making its debut in 1984, the war chant is heard all across the nation as teams like the Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Chiefs have adopted the cheer…with a little help from former Seminoles in the pros.

In the near 50 years of Osceola and Renegade the flaming spear has been planted 300 times by 17 riders atride six Renegades.

The job as Osceola is not a few minute appearance on Saturdays during football season but a several hours per day job between horse and rider to develop the relationship required for the flawless spectacle displayed before each home game.