FSU coach Norvell makes 92-year-old Seminole fan's birthday wish come true. 'It's special'

Janice Butler turned 92 last month with one birthday wish: to meet Florida State football coach Mike Norvell.

Butler’s wish came true Friday during the Extra Point Club’s luncheon in the Alumni Center.

It was a special moment, a heartfelt connection between past and present that should be celebrated.

Butler, in a wheelchair due to a spinal condition, talked with Norvell for a few minutes at her table. Norvell held Butler's hand. Making a good thing even better, Butler also had her picture taken with Norvell.

"That was so nice. He's very personable," Butler said, adding she was too excited to finish her lunch.

Norvell, known for his genuine exuberance, also appreciated the greeting before he stepped into his role as the event's guest speaker.

"It's special — that's what makes Florida State," Norvell said.

"Just the passion, the care, to hear about a young lady that was at our very first FSU football game (modern era) and now, here at 92 years old, and seeing the joy... people make a place. She's obviously a great representative of what makes Florida State special."

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'Win, lose or tie.' Janice Butler a Seminole fan for life

Butler, a Quincy native, isn't your ordinary Seminole fan.

The FSU graduate —class of 1952 — knows her FSU football.

All of it.

Butler is still sharp mentally. She can rattle off games, names and scores across the decades dating back 76 years ago, when FSU relaunched its program in a 14-6 defeat to Stetson at Centennial Field. Butler, a then-senior at Gadsden County High School, attended the game with friends from First Baptist Church. She proudly pointed out FSU's lone touchdown was scored by fellow Quincy native Charles McMillan on a reception.

And, oh, Butler loves poking the Florida Gators, too.

She was at Doak Campbell Stadium in 1964 for the Seminoles’ first home game against UF and their first win over the Gators in seven games. Butler understood UF players wore jerseys that week with an inscription “Go For Seven.” She added with emphasis that’s how many points the Gators scored in its 16-7 defeat behind quarterback/punter Steve Spurrier.

Butler was just warming up.

She will always believe FSU receiver Lane Fenner was in-bounds (he was ruled out of bounds by officials) for the game-winning touchdown catch against UF in 1966 at Doak Campbell Stadium. She was at the "Choke at Doak" in 1994, when the Seminoles rallied from a 28-point deficit in the fourth quarter and tied UF, coached by Spurrier, 31-31.

"Oh my goodness, I go into a depression when football season is over," Butler said and laughed.

Butler and her late husband, Henry Moore Butler, called H.M. by friends and family, were longtime season-ticket holders near the 45-yard line. Janice attended games into her late 70s. The couple had three children (Jan, Jill and Judd). Instead of singing regular lullabies to them as babies, Butler sang the FSU fight song.

Even during FSU's 0-11 season under Larry Jones in 1973, Butler attended games solo when nobody wanted to join her.

"My husband got to where he’d rather deer hunt than go to the games," said Butler, who lived on an 85-acre farm off Lake Talquin Highway for many years with her husband before he passed in 2008. She sold the farm in 2017 and moved into a house that's one block from her childhood home in Quincy.

Butler, a former teacher, has lived to see all of FSU's coaches from Ed Williamson in 1947 to Norvell. Butler and her husband met Bill Peterson in his dingy office below the stands at Doak Campbell Stadium and Bobby Bowden in his renovated office above it.

"When we met coach Bowden, I thought we'd meet him at the door, we'd shake his hand, and we'd be on our way," said Butler, adding Bowden invited the group in to talk. "You don't forget meeting a person like coach Bowden."

She also believes in Norvell, hired in 2019 as the program's 11th fulltime coach. After guiding FSU last year to its first 10-win season since 2016, Norvell signed a contract extension with the school last week through 2029.

"The team this (past season) really impressed me," Butler said. "They overcame so much adversity and so many changes, so much criticism. But they persevered and hung in there. They are one of my favorite teams."

Butler also applauds FSU legends. Quarterback Charlie Ward and tailback Warrick Dunn are her two favorite players.

Butler embraces technology to follow her beloved Seminoles

Butler was raised on sports, so she's not sure where her love of athletics and the Seminoles started.

Yet, that passion is real.

After her morning ritual that includes prayer and reading the Bible, Butler checks the sports calendar/television listings for FSU athletic events.

She combines old school with new school.

Butler watches FSU sports on her television or IPad. When that's not an option, she listens to broadcasts on the radio or her Alexa device. Butler is also on social media, sends text messages and emails.

Butler's determined, too. When doctors told her she wouldn't walk again after multiple spinal fusion surgeries and a fall, she rehabbed and proved them wrong.

Football hasn't passed by Butler either. She listened intently to Norvell's 30-plus minute speech to EPC members and guests.

"I am not real impressed with NIL," Butler said in reference to players being able to earn money for their name, image and likeness. "I am afraid that's going to ruin college sports.

"But I also think the college portal has been good to us."

Friday was a good day for Butler, too.

The lifelong Seminole fan's 92nd birthday wish came true.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU coach Mike Norvell makes wish come true for 92-year-old fan