ARLINGTON, Texas – Six former standouts on the field and one distinguished head coach who roamed the sidelines for decades were inducted today into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony at AT&T Stadium.
 
The honorees in the 12th Hall of Fame Class who helped shape the traditions of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic and college football history included Kansas State quarterback Jonathan Beasley, Notre Dame split end Tom Gatewood, Arkansas guard Jerry Jones, Ole Miss running back/wide receiver Dexter McCluster, Texas defensive end Cory Redding, Boston College linebacker Bill Romanowski, and Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder.
 
These seven Class of 2020 inductees are now among a group of 78 men and women who have left an indelible mark on the Classic, one of America's original postseason bowl games. Each member of the Hall of Fame Class received a personalized bronze statue in the likeness of a 1930s football player, the era in which the Classic was founded.
 
"Our Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame induction ceremony is such a special occasion," said Bry Patton, Chairman, Cotton Bowl Athletic Association. "It's an event that provides all of us an opportunity to relive great moments from past Classics and honor those exceptional people who have meant so much to our game. Just a fun and memorable day."
 
Brad Sham, the Voice of the Dallas Cowboys and Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, served as Master of Ceremonies for the enshrinement activities held 17 months after initially being scheduled due to postponements caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
A judging committee comprised of media representatives and athletic administrators voted from a ballot consisting of 60 nominees that included former players, coaches, bowl administrators and others. Selection criteria for the Hall of Fame include the following:

• Voting is based solely upon the nominee's performance or impact upon the success of the Cotton Bowl Classic rather than on the person's overall college and/or professional career. 
• An individual is eligible five years after his/her final Classic appearance. 

The Class of 2020 features a diverse group of players and a renowned head coach.
 
Kansas State quarterback Jonathan Beasley lit up the scoreboard in the 2001 Cotton Bowl Classic. Beasley ran for the game's first touchdown and then passed for two more to set a halftime record for total offense with 238 yards. The end result was a convincing 35-21 victory over Tennessee.
 
Tom Gatewood was Notre Dame's clutch receiver. In 1970, his 54-yard touchdown catch gave the Irish an early 10-0 lead over No. 1 Texas. One year later, his 26-yard scoring reception ignited the Irish offense and led to a compelling 24-11 victory that snapped the Longhorns' 30-game winning streak.
 
Arkansas right guard Jerry Jones was instrumental in the Razorbacks drive to the national championship in the 1965 Classic. The Hogs marched 80 yards in the fourth quarter for the touchdown that defeated Nebraska 10-7 and won the Classic for the first time in Arkansas history.
 
Dexter McCluster of Ole Miss scored twice on Texas Tech in the 2009 Classic and rolled up 180 all-purpose yards in a 47-34 victory. He came back the following year to christen AT&T Stadium with an electrifying 86-yard touchdown run that led to a 21-7 victory over Oklahoma State.
 
There was no getting around Texas defensive end Cory Redding in the 2003 Classic. He logged eight tackles, five of them were unassisted, and four resulted in losses of minus-23 yards. Redding and his teammates forced three turnovers and knocked off LSU, 35-20.
 
Bill Romanowski was the ringleader of the Boston College defense. In 1985, the freshman linebacker chased Houston running backs all over the field, made 13 tackles and was credited with 11 solo stops and one pass breakup. Romanowski was everywhere that day. The Eagles won big, 45-28.
 
Thanks to head coach Bill Snyder, Kansas State became one of the most feared teams in college football. He guided the Wildcats to three Cotton Bowl Classics, six 11-win seasons in a seven-year stretch, and 11 consecutive bowl appearances. Snyder wrapped up his coaching career in 2018 with 215 victories.
 
Since its first game in 1937, the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic has hosted:
• 152 College Football Hall of Famers
• 31 Pro Football Hall of Famers
• 9 Heisman Trophy winners
• 7 Walter Camp Award Winners
• 7 Maxwell Award winners
• 6 Outland Trophy winners
• 5 Johnny Unitas Award winners
• 4 Davey O'Brien Award winners
• 4 Lombardi Award winners
• 3 Doak Walker Award winners
• 3 William Campbell Award winners
• 3 Jim Thorpe Award winners