ARLINGTON, Texas – The Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic honored its 13th Hall of Fame class today during enshrinement activities at AT&T Stadium. This springtime tradition, which began in 1998, immortalized seven individuals for the special roles they played in shaping the Classic's history and traditions.
 
The honorees included former Florida State cornerback Terrell Buckley, Texas A&M quarterback Edd Hargett, Auburn linebacker Will Herring, Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning, past CBAA Chairman Fred McClure, Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel and Missouri tailback Tony Temple.
 
These seven honorees are now among a prestigious group of 85 men and women who have left an indelible mark on the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, one of America's original bowl games.
 
"Hall of Fame Day is one of reflection," said Dave Brown, Chair, Cotton Bowl Athletic Association. "It's a day that gives us a chance to acknowledge our game's illustrious history and recognize those special individuals whose combined efforts helped make the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic one of our nation's most celebrated sporting events.
 
"Today we honored an influential and charismatic leader in our bowl organization, a distinguished head coach, along with five truly remarkable former players. On behalf of college football fans everywhere, I congratulate the Class of 2023 and thank them for their enormous contributions to our game."
 
A judging committee comprised of media representatives and athletic administrators selected the class from a ballot that consisted of former players, head coaches, and bowl administrators. Consideration was 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. Individuals become eligible for recognition five years after his/her final Classic appearance.
 
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 bowl game was founded.
 
Brad Sham, the Voice of the Dallas Cowboys and Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, served as the event's Master of Ceremonies. Activities concluded with an autograph party with the Hall of Fame honorees and a lunchtime cookout for all fans in attendance, courtesy of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
 
This Hall of Fame class is a diverse group:
           
Florida State cornerback Terrell Buckley came up with a huge, game-changing defensive play in the 56th Cotton Bowl Classic in 1992. Texas A&M was driving for a touchdown just before halftime when Buckley leaped high in the air to come down with an interception in the corner of the end zone. This key defensive stop shifted momentum to the Seminoles and paved the way to a 10-2 victory.
           
Edd Hargett was one of the most lethal passers of his era in the Southwest Conference. The Texas A&M quarterback kept No. 8 Alabama off-balance all afternoon in the 31st Classic in 1967. Hargett threw for two touchdowns in the first half and guided the unranked Aggies to one of their most satisfying bowl victories ever with a 20-16 upset of the Crimson Tide.
           
Nebraska found out the hard way that getting around Auburn linebacker Will Herring was next to impossible. Starting his 49th consecutive and final game for the Tigers, Herring made seven solo tackles against the Cornhuskers, including two for lost yardage. His stellar defensive play was instrumental in helping Auburn take home a hard-earned 17-14 victory in the 71st Classic in 2007.
 
Containing Eli Manning was a difficult task. The prolific Ole Miss signal-caller led the Rebels on three long scoring drives to build a comfortable 31-14 lead over Oklahoma State in the 68th Classic in 2004. But the Cowboys fought back and pulled within three with 4:38 left to play. Manning didn't flinch and guided the Rebels on another time-consuming march to run out the clock and claim a 31-28 victory.
 
Fred McClure arrived as Chair of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association when he was needed most. A change in conference affiliation and a new television home ranked at the top of the Cotton Bowl Classic's wish list in 1998, leading into the 63rd Classic. McClure provided the vision and the path to get there. His savvy leadership secured a 16-year association with the Southeastern Conference and FOX Sports.
           
Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel was simply unbeatable in the Cotton Bowl Classic. His Tigers ran all over Arkansas for a 38-7 victory in the 72nd Classic in 2008. Then, in the 78th Classic in 2014, Mizzou broke the game open by scoring 24 points in the fourth quarter to pull away from Oklahoma State, 41-31. The all-time winningest head coach at Missouri never lost in the Classic. He was a perfect 2-0.
           
Tony Temple made scoring touchdowns and piling up rushing yards look easy. Arkansas had no answer for the Missouri tailback in the 72nd Classic. Temple ran for 281 yards to smash the bowl's longstanding rushing record. He also scored four rushing touchdowns to eclipse another bowl milestone. Temple was just too much to handle. The Tigers won big, 38-7.

Since its first game in 1937, the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic has hosted:
 
• 159 College Football Hall of Famers
• 34 Pro Football Hall of Famers
• 11 Heisman Trophy winners
• 9 Maxwell Award winners
• 8 Walter Camp Award Winners
• 6 Outland Trophy winners
• 5 Davey O'Brien Award winners
• 5 Johnny Unitas Award winners
• 4 Lombardi Award winners
• 4 Jim Thorpe Award winners
• 3 Doak Walker Award winners
• 3 William V. Campbell Trophy winners
 
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