'It hurts': The deaths of former Florida State football players difficult on teammates

‘It hurts’: The deaths of former Florida State football players difficult on teammates

Posted by author February 2, 2025 Football

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During their football careers at Florida State, players had to learn to trust each other to achieve success.

They also learned the importance of accountability, unity and looking out for one another. Even while life happens and the years march on, the bonds formed between teammates decades ago often still last to this day.

That’s why it was an emotional January for Seminoles from the 1980s as three teammates died:

Running back Keith Ross (1985-88); return specialist Billy Allen (1981-84); and linebacker Shelton Thompson (1985-89).

The trio was part of 78 victories, including seven bowl wins.

“It hurts ,” said Sammie Smith, 57, who finished his FSU career (1985-88) as the program’s third-leading rusher with 2,538 yards. “It reminds you that life’s not promised, that the time we have here is a blessing. When you have somebody who has been impactful, has always been a great guy you rally around … we have a lot of teammates like that.

“We have to find a way to get even more involved with each other.”

FSU football in the 1980s under Bobby Bowden set tone for program’s success

It’s often said sports is symbolic of life. Life often requires teamwork and resiliency. Sports helps develop those skills.

FSU football during the 1980s under legendary coach Bobby Bowden set the tone for the program’s success. The 1987 Seminoles finished 11-1, which started an unprecedented streak of 14 consecutive seasons with 10 or more victories. Nearly 40 FSU players from that decade were selected in the NFL Draft, including Deion Sanders, who was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

Ross’ death to open 2025 in early January buckled his former FSU teammates.

While Ross may not have been a household name to fans – he had 739 career rushing yards and joined FSU as a 21-year-old freshman after playing minor league baseball – teammates described his personality as “larger than life.” And his work ethic, desire and sacrifice epitomized the qualities that helped FSU win and vault into the top-5 of the national rankings by decade’s end.

After football, Ross served his community near Gainesville as a law enforcement officer.

More than 30 former teammates showed for Ross’ memorial in late January. And Sanders was among the speakers who delivered a powerful eulogy that reflected the group’s desire to support Ross’ family. Smith said the weekend also motivated players to make a concerted effort to get together more often.

There are discussions of scheduled Zoom calls, events and outreach programs where ideas, concerns and inspirational topics can be shared. It’s as if players again realized the experiences that shaped them at FSU are still important even as they age.

Shelton Thompson’s death ends January on somber note

The minutes don’t stop either.

Players barely had time to recover emotionally when Thompson died last Friday, Jan. 31. Thompson, nicknamed “Smokie,” had celebrated his 58th birthday weeks earlier. He was also a member of the Seminoles’ legendary 1985 recruiting class that featured Sanders, Smith, offensive lineman Pat Tomberlin, veteran FSU associate head coach Odell Haggins and many others.

“It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday,” Dedrick Dodge, also a member of that class that made major contributions at FSU and in the NFL, posted on Facebook about his fellow Polk County signee. Former Seminole Grady Ross (1989-90) posted he had talked to Thompson, who played in 42 career games at FSU, on the phone only hours prior to his death and said “I never imagined that would be the last time I said I love you.”

Devoted FSU fans also shared their heartbreak and memories across social media after the players’ deaths. Many posted their messages on the highly-popular Garnet and Great group operated by lifelong FSU fan Christopher Holder on Facebook.

Allen’s 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against West Virginia in the 1982 Gator Bowl was a favorite memory for many. Allen fielded the kickoff at the 5, made his way to the 20 and then veered to the sideline. He easily outraced defenders, established a Gator Bowl record that stood for 30 years and helped the Seminoles run away with the 31-12 win.

“Loved his story of being an American soldier stationed in Europe when Bobby Bowden recruited (him),” John Roland said of Allen, an Air Force veteran who played service ball in Europe prior to signing with FSU, where he also ran track.

Former FSU and NFL linebacker Jesse Solomon has been an important link from the Seminoles’ past to the present, staying busy over the years with his charity work. That includes Athletes Care Association (ACA), a non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping former FSU football players improve their quality of life. Solomon works diligently to network and keep former Seminoles updated.

“It’s always great when we can all get together,” Solomon said. “But we still have to find a way to get more involved. Man, time is precious. We’re all getting into our 60s.”

Smith echoed Solomon, lamenting the years are passing by too quicky. And accelerating. The evening before Ross’ memorial, players huddled in the lobby of their hotel. They reminisced, caught up and laughed about “how all these Seminoles were sitting in a hotel in Gainesville,” Smith said of being deep in rival Florida Gators‘ territory.

It was a somber yet uplifting weekend as former teammates rekindled bonds.

“Those teams I was on in the late 1980s had a lot of fun together and that parlayed over into the season,” Smith said. “We were truly united together with a common purpose. And we continue to share that bond of brotherhood. Even while I hadn’t seen some of those guys in years – and some from my playing days, it seems – we didn’t miss a beat.

“And it felt good to be part of Keith’s homegoing.”

Jim Henry is the sports editor of the Tallahassee Democrat. He has covered FSU athletics since the mid-1980s and can be reached at jjhenry@tallahassee.com.