The Osceola and Renegade tradition at Florida State University (FSU) is a pregame spectacle that occurs before every home football game at Doak Campbell Stadium, where a student portraying the Seminole leader Osceola rides an Appaloosa horse named Renegade to midfield and plants a flaming spear into the turf. This tradition, which began on September 16, 1978, during FSU’s game against Oklahoma State, was conceived by Bill Durham, a 1965 FSU graduate, who obtained permission from the Seminole Tribe of Florida to honor the tribe’s heritage. The regalia worn by Osceola is designed for authenticity and approved by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
The tradition is overseen by Allen Durham, son of Bill Durham, and the Durham family provides and trains the Appaloosa horses used in the ceremony. The current horse, Renegade VI, has served since 2014. Students who portray Osceola must complete a two-year apprenticeship, maintain a GPA of 3.0, demonstrate riding proficiency, and uphold a code of conduct, receiving a scholarship for their role. As of 2018, seventeen students have served as Osceola, with the seventeenth rider active at that time.
A notable variation in the tradition occurs during games against the University of Florida (UF). On these occasions, Osceola dismounts from Renegade, raises the flaming spear overhead in both directions, and then plants it in the ground. This act is said to symbolize the beginning of “real war” in Seminole tradition, distinguishing the Florida–Florida State rivalry from other matchups. This special ritual underscores the significance of the rivalry and is viewed as a gesture of respect and intensity.
The tradition has been recognized nationally, with ESPN’s SportsNation voting Osceola and Renegade the best NCAA Football Tradition in the country prior to the 2011 season. The spectacle has also been featured at major bowl games, including the Orange Bowl and the Rose Bowl, where FSU claimed national championships. The tradition continues to be a cornerstone of FSU’s identity, symbolizing the enduring partnership between the university and the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
