Joe Tiller NFF Chapter

The life and legacy of Bernie Flowers was honored April 14 at Triple XXX Restaurant in West Lafayette with a fund-raiser that benefited his favorite charity, the Joe Tiller Chapter of the National Football Foundation.

Owners Carrie and Greg Ehresman commemorated the 10th anniversary of the passing of Flowers, a Purdue football All-American in 1952 and a successful Lafayette businessman, by donating $500 plus all the proceeds that day from the sales of the Bernie Flowers All-Pro Burger and a frosty mug of root beer. Additional donations were accepted. 

“The fund-raiser was 100% about honoring Bernie’s legacy in our community and his contribution to Purdue,” said Carrie Ehresman. The proceeds totaled $1,813.50 and were donated in his name to the NFF.

“Bernie was the biggest fan and supporter of Purdue, West Lafayette, Lafayette and the Triple XXX,” added Carrie. “He always had a big smile on his face and had a unique way of engaging and endearing his listeners, which made him a great salesman and ambassador. We loved Bernie and truly miss him.”

West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis declared April 14 as “Bernie Flowers Day” during his personal appearance at Triple XXX. 

Flowers came to Purdue from Erie, PA, in 1949 on a football scholarship, earned first-team All-America honors as an end before a stint in the military during the Korean War. He had a brief experience in the NFL with the Baltimore Colts and then moved back to Lafayette with his wife Adella. They had five children – Dayna, Cathy, Kerry, Jody and Paige, all of whom became Purdue graduates, while Bernie enjoyed a successful career selling insurance. 

One of Bernie’s greatest passions, besides his family and Purdue University, was the National Football Foundation and helping to establish the chapter in the early 2000’s. He served as membership chairman while the chapter became the second largest among 120 chapters in America, mainly because of the Flowers’ sales approach. 

“Bernie, indeed, was one of a kind,” says Jim Vruggink, the executive director of the Tiller Chapter since it started in 2004. “He was a terrific friend and his efforts were greatly appreciated, both in fund-raising and in member recruitment.” 

The chapter’s annual Award for Outstanding Contributions to Amateur Sports is named in his honor. Flowers received the chapter’s Distinguished American Award in 2008.