Bobby Bowden appears before Cabinet for former player

Former Florida State University football coach Bobby Bowden made an appearance at the clemency hearing today.

Outside the meeting Bowden said he appeared to support Sammie Lee Smith, a former FSU standout running back arrested for cocaine possession in 1995.

Smith is seeking the restoration of his civil rights, but the parole commission gave him an unfavorable recommendation.

Bowden said he would on Smith's behalf if asked. Smith, who lives in Orlando, was drafted in first round of the 1989 NFL draft (9th overall) by the Miami Dolphins. He played three years for the Dolphins and the Denver Broncos.