TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Jeb Bush criticized NCAA offi-cials on Tuesday for their deci-sion to penalize Florida State for using an American Indian nickname and symbols, saying they instead insulted the uni-versity and a proud Seminole Tribe of Florida.

The NCAA’s finding that the school’s Seminoles nickname is ‘‘hostile and offensive,’’ instead of honoring American Indians has the opposite effect, the gov-ernor said, because the tribe supports the school’s use of its name.

‘‘I think it’s offensive to native Americans ... the Semi-nole Indian tribe who support the traditions of FSU,’’ Bush said on his way into a Cabinet meeting. ‘‘I think they insult those people by telling them, ’No, no, you’re not smart enough to understand this. You should be feeling really horri-ble about this.’ It’s ridiculous.’’

Meanwhile, attorney Barry Richard, who successfully led the legal challenge on behalf of Republican George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential recount in Florida, has agreed to represent the school in its case against the NCAA, Florida State President T.K. Wetherell said Wednesday.

NCAA officials did not imme-diately return a call Tuesday seeking comment. Florida State, Illinois and Utah are among 18 schools with an American Indian nickname or logo that will be prohibited by the NCAA from displaying them in postseason events, starting in February.

The nicknames will not be allowed on team uniforms and mascots will not be allowed to perform at games, the NCAA announced Friday. Cheerlead-ers and band members will also be barred from using American Indians on their uniforms beginning in 2008. Bush said he fully agrees with Wetherell, who will sue the NCAA if their decision on the use of Semi-noles is not rescinded. Tribal officials also support the school in its stance against the NCAA.

‘‘How politically correct can we get?’’ Bush asked. ‘‘The folks that make these decisions need to get out more often.’’

‘‘If you have the Seminole Tribe and Gov. Bush on your side, how can you go wrong?’’ Florida State University Vice President Lee Hinkle said Wednesday.

Bush said the NCAA must have better things to do that sit around worrying about the nicknames adopted by its mem-ber institutions. ‘‘You know what they ought to be worried about? The graduation rates of most college athletes,’’ the sec-ondterm Florida governor said. ‘‘Maybe if they had some sug-gestions on that, that universi-ties could apply and could implement, they could be doing a service to all of us.’’