The 2023 Cotton Bowl Classic Hall of Fame Class of 2023: (L-R) Terrell Buckley, Edd Hargett, Will Herring, Eli Manning, Gary Pinkel, Tony Temple and Fred McClure
Photo by: MELISSA MACATEE
Hargett, McClure Inducted into Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame
May 11, 2023 | Football, General, Texas A&M Lettermen's Association
ARLINGTON, Texas – Texas A&M legends Edd Hargett and Fred McClure were inducted in the prestigious Cotton Bowl Classic Hall of Fame for their contributions to the iconic New Year's Day bowl game during enshrinement ceremonies on Thursday at AT&T Stadium.
Joining Hargett and McClure in the 13th Hall of Fame class were former Florida State defensive back Terrell Buckley, Auburn linebacker Will Herring, Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning, Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel, and Missouri tailback Tony Temple.
EDD HARGETT, TEXAS A&M, QUARTERBACK
1968 Classic: Texas A&M 20, Alabama 16
Rushing: 11 attempts, -11 yards
Passing: 11-22-0, 143 yards, 2 TD
Edd Hargett was blessed with a rocket for a right arm. He could throw. And he did just that in lighting up the Southwest Conference in the late 1960s. Hargett set the bar with his passing proficiency at Texas A&M. By the end of his senior season, every school passing record carried his name. He guided the Aggies to the conference championship in 1967 and was instrumental in a 20-16 upset of Alabama in the 32nd Cotton Bowl Classic. Hargett aired out the stadium with 21 pass attempts in the first half alone to build a 13-10 lead over the Crimson Tide. He threw for two touchdowns that day and had 74,000 fans sitting on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Hargett and his teammates gave their head coach Gene Stallings one of his sweetest career moments by upsetting his mentor Paul "Bear" Bryant and securing Texas A&M's first victory in the Classic in a quarter-century.
FRED MCCLURE, CBAA CHAIRMAN
CBAA Chairman: 1998-2002
When the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic needed a strong leader to step forward at a crucial time in its history, along came Texas A&M Distinguished Alumnus and former Texas A&M University Board of Regents member Fred McClure to assume the role of Chairman of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association. His political background provided the Board of Directors the needed expertise to engineer a change in conference affiliation and television networks in 1998. McClure's vision and determination led to a 16-year relationship with both the Southeastern Conference and FOX Sports, thus turning an uncertain time for the Classic into a pillar of strength. His leadership abilities were deemed of such importance that he was appointed to back-to-back terms as Chairman, a first in the bowl's history. Today, a program for young people launching a career in college athletics is named in his honor, the CBAA Fred McClure Internship Program. Good things always seem to happen under his discerning eye.
These seven honorees added their names to a group that has grown to 85 men and women who have left an indelible mark on the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, one of America's original bowl games.
"There is nothing quite like our Hall of Fame celebration," said Dave Brown, Chair, Cotton Bowl Athletic Association. "It is a special time where we have a chance to relive great moments from the past and honor those truly exceptional people who have built our game's traditions. Anyone who loves college football should make plans to join us for this memorable celebration in May. It's going to be a fun day for everyone."
A judging committee comprised of media representatives and athletic administrators voted from a long list of former players, coaches, bowl administrators and others to select the 2023 Class. Selection criteria for the Hall of Fame include the following:
• Voting 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.
• An individual is eligible five years after his/her final Classic appearance.
Since its first game in 1937, the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic has hosted:
• 157 College Football Hall of Famers
• 33 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
Joining Hargett and McClure in the 13th Hall of Fame class were former Florida State defensive back Terrell Buckley, Auburn linebacker Will Herring, Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning, Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel, and Missouri tailback Tony Temple.
EDD HARGETT, TEXAS A&M, QUARTERBACK
1968 Classic: Texas A&M 20, Alabama 16
Rushing: 11 attempts, -11 yards
Passing: 11-22-0, 143 yards, 2 TD
Edd Hargett was blessed with a rocket for a right arm. He could throw. And he did just that in lighting up the Southwest Conference in the late 1960s. Hargett set the bar with his passing proficiency at Texas A&M. By the end of his senior season, every school passing record carried his name. He guided the Aggies to the conference championship in 1967 and was instrumental in a 20-16 upset of Alabama in the 32nd Cotton Bowl Classic. Hargett aired out the stadium with 21 pass attempts in the first half alone to build a 13-10 lead over the Crimson Tide. He threw for two touchdowns that day and had 74,000 fans sitting on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Hargett and his teammates gave their head coach Gene Stallings one of his sweetest career moments by upsetting his mentor Paul "Bear" Bryant and securing Texas A&M's first victory in the Classic in a quarter-century.
FRED MCCLURE, CBAA CHAIRMAN
CBAA Chairman: 1998-2002
When the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic needed a strong leader to step forward at a crucial time in its history, along came Texas A&M Distinguished Alumnus and former Texas A&M University Board of Regents member Fred McClure to assume the role of Chairman of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association. His political background provided the Board of Directors the needed expertise to engineer a change in conference affiliation and television networks in 1998. McClure's vision and determination led to a 16-year relationship with both the Southeastern Conference and FOX Sports, thus turning an uncertain time for the Classic into a pillar of strength. His leadership abilities were deemed of such importance that he was appointed to back-to-back terms as Chairman, a first in the bowl's history. Today, a program for young people launching a career in college athletics is named in his honor, the CBAA Fred McClure Internship Program. Good things always seem to happen under his discerning eye.
These seven honorees added their names to a group that has grown to 85 men and women who have left an indelible mark on the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, one of America's original bowl games.
"There is nothing quite like our Hall of Fame celebration," said Dave Brown, Chair, Cotton Bowl Athletic Association. "It is a special time where we have a chance to relive great moments from the past and honor those truly exceptional people who have built our game's traditions. Anyone who loves college football should make plans to join us for this memorable celebration in May. It's going to be a fun day for everyone."
A judging committee comprised of media representatives and athletic administrators voted from a long list of former players, coaches, bowl administrators and others to select the 2023 Class. Selection criteria for the Hall of Fame include the following:
• Voting 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.
• An individual is eligible five years after his/her final Classic appearance.
Since its first game in 1937, the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic has hosted:
• 157 College Football Hall of Famers
• 33 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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