The college football season is just days away and, more importantly, the FSU season is on the horizon. The offseason is over, the depth charts are just about finalized, the polls are out, and tailgating plans are made. At The Territory, we had the privilege of having The First Lady of Florida State Football, Candi Fisher, answer a few off the field questions to prepare us for the upcoming season.
The Fisher Family – Candi, Jimbo, Ethan, Trey (Kidz1stFund)
TT: How did you and Jimbo meet and what were your first impressions of him?
CF: My roommate met Jimbo’s roommate at the beach, and they started dating. They introduced us. In the beginning, I thought he was a little cocky, but I liked the fact that we were both so competitive. We actually still are! He was also very driven, and he was a hard worker. We had a lot of the same traits, so it was a natural fit for us. We were both very young, but we seemed to want the same things in life. One thing that was important to both of us was family and remembering where we came from.
TT: What is a typical gameday like for you? Do you have any superstitions or traditions either for yourself or your family?
CF: A typical game day is stressful! I have knots in my stomach. I try to get to the stadium 3-4 hours before kickoff, and we always go to Jimbo’s office to see him before he heads to the field. I am incredibly superstitious! It’s an attempt to have control over a situation in which I have no control!
TT: If Jimbo wasn’t coaching football, what could you see him doing?
CF: He would be doing a hunting show with our boys! That is his favorite thing to do!
TT: Knowing the demand and sacrifices put on a coaches family, would you encourage your sons to follow in their father’s footsteps?
CF: I want their lives to be fulfilling to them, so if this is the profession that they choose, then that’s what I want for them. Having said that, I would prefer as a mother to see them find a less stressful line of work!
TT: Many of the players become like family to the Fisher’s, is it difficult to grow so close personally with these kids only to have them gone in just a few short years?
CF: Very difficult! It is hard to explain just how much the players mean to us. I respect so much about them. To see where many of them come from and watch them change from a recruit who’s still in high school to a leader leaving this team and going out into the world, is truly something special. You obviously get closer to some more than others, but make no mistake about it, we see them as extended family. They watch out for my boys like big brothers, and many of the players’ families become close friends. It’s a bittersweet day when they leave. It’s very emotional for me especially.
TT: Kidz1stFund has already donated $1 million to the University of Minnesota’s Amplatz Children’s Hospital for the research of Fanconi anemia, what is on the horizon that Florida State fans should be aware of so they may continue to support the fight against Fanconi anemia?
CF: We have achieved so many things with Kidz1stFund, and I am very proud of that. First I want the fans to know that their support has made this possible, but I also want them to know that we will continue to need their help down the road. We just announced that FSU & Pitt will be wearing an I Fight Fanconi helmet sticker for the game, but football season tends to be our most productive time with many last minute things popping up that generous people want to do to help. We will be involved with Theta Chi Cheers for Charity again this year. Then the Tallahassee locations of Tropical Smoothie will be running a campaign for the next few months that will raise money for Kidz1stFund, so please visit any location to donate. We will also be hosting our 2nd annual “Starz of Hope” event in early spring as well as a fundraising campaign by Jersey Mike’s in late spring! As long as people are willing to help, we will keep working hard, and I know we will eventually help find a cure for Fanconi anemia.
You can learn more about Fanconi anemia and support Kidz1stFund at: www.kidz1stfund.com.