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Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

2020 HALL OF FAME

Tom Gatewood

  • Position Split End, Notre Dame
  • Hometown Baltimore, Maryland
  • Height 6-2
  • Weight 203
  • Classic Memories 1970 Classic: Texas 21, Notre Dame 17, 1971 Classic: Notre Dame 24, Texas 11

Biography

Statistics:
1970 - 6 receptions, 112 yards, 1 TD
1971 - 2 receptions, 43 yards, 1 TD

Notre Dame split end Tom Gatewood was an All-American in every sense of the word. He was the Fighting Irish's go-to receiver, member of the Dean’s List, and an inspirational role model for youth everywhere. This humble student-athlete had a special gift, and it was evident to all in his two Cotton Bowl Classic appearances against top-ranked Texas. In the 1970 Classic, the speedy receiver hauled in a 54-yard scoring pass to push the Irish to a 10-0 lead. A year later, Gatewood and company were back in the Classic to face Texas again. And just like the year before, he led the charge. Gatewood’s 26-yard touchdown catch put the Irish on track to a stirring 24-11 victory that snapped the Horns’ 30-game winning streak. In three seasons, he amassed 157 receptions, a mark that stood for 34 years as the receiving standard at Notre Dame.