Perhaps the most spectacular tradition in all of college football occurs in Doak Campbell Stadium when a student portraying the famous Seminole Indian leader, Osceola, charges down the field riding an Appaloosa horse named Renegade and plants a flaming spear at midfield to begin every home game.

Bill Durham, a 1965 graduate of FSU, envisioned the idea of Chief Osceola and Renegade when he was a sophomore on the Homecoming Committee in 1962.

He didn't get any support for the idea until Bobby Bowden came to FSU as head coach.  In the fall of 1977, Durham's idea began to materialize.

Durham sought and obtained the approval of the Seminole Tribe of Florida for the portrayal of Osceola and during the opening game of 1978 against Oklahoma State, the legend of Osceola and Renegade began. Since that time Osceola, in authentic regalia designed by the ladies of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and Renegade have opened every home game with the traditional planting of the spear, appeared in many major bowl games, and performed on national television on numerous occasions. Bill Durham and his family supply the beautiful Appaloosa horses and, with the help of the Renegade Team volunteers, continue to bring this spectacular tradition to those who love Florida State University.