SCOTTSDALE, AZ – The rich 50-year history of the Fiesta Bowl includes many of college football’s greatest moments, with players and coaches whose performances have become etched in the minds of fans and media.
As part of its 50th Anniversary celebration, the Fiesta Bowl has unveiled the Top 50 Players and Coaches in the Bowl’s legendary history. The group spans the Bowl’s inaugural game in 1971 up through and including the most recent game between Clemson and Ohio State. There are 14 College Football Hall of Fame inductees and nine others not yet eligible but who will be strong candidates. On top of the 50 on-field people recognized, the original nine Fiesta Bowl Founders hold an honorary place on the list.
Ohio State leads the way with eight individuals on the list, with a Fiesta Bowl-high nine appearances in the first 49 games. Penn State is close behind with seven people among the Top 50 and the Nittany Lions have a perfect 7-0 record in Fiesta Bowl appearances. Five people come from Arizona State, with four of the five individuals being College Football Hall of Fame inductees. Boise State, Clemson, Colorado and Nebraska have three people each.
This is one initiative that the Fiesta Bowl is undertaking to celebrate its 50th Anniversary. A commemorative logo includes the Bowl’s trademark sunburst and script, along with a large 50 and five “laces” on a football, to signify the five decades the Fiesta Bowl has been in existence. It will be widely seen as the 50-yard marker on the field during the 50th playing of the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl on January 2, 2021, between No. 25 Oregon and No. 10 Iowa State.
Saquon Barkley, RB (Penn State) – 2017
Michael Bishop, QB (K-State) – 1997
Bobby Bowden, Coach (Florida State) – 1988, 1990, 1999
Tedy Bruschi, LB (Arizona) – 1994
Joe Burrow, QB (LSU) – 2019j
Keith Byars, RB/KR (Ohio State) – 1984
Shane Conlan, LB (Penn State) – 1987
DJ Dozier, RB (Penn State) – 1987
Marcus Dupree, RB (Oklahoma) – 1983
Ezekiel Elliott, RB (Ohio State) – 2016j
Tommie Frazier, QB (Nebraska) – 1996
Philip Fulmer, Coach (Tennessee) – 1999
Woody Green, RB (Arizona State) – 1971-73
AJ Hawk, LB (Ohio State) – 2003-04, 2006
Mike Haynes, DB (Arizona State) – 1973, 1975
Santonio Holmes, WR (Ohio State) – 2004, 2006
Lou Holtz, Coach (Notre Dame) – 1989
Ian Johnson, RB (Boise State) – 2007
John Jefferson, WR (Arizona State) – 1975, 1977
Craig Krenzel, QB (Ohio State) – 2003-04
Frank Kush, Coach (Arizona State) – 1971-73, 1975, 1977
Trevor Lawrence, QB (Clemson) – 2019d
Chuck Levy, RB (Arizona) – 1994
Darnell McDonald, WR (K-State) – 1997d
Colt McCoy, QB (Texas) – 2009
Willis McGahee, RB (Miami) – 2003
Urban Meyer, Coach (Ohio State) – 2005, 2016j, 2016d
Matt Millen, DL (Penn State) – 1977
Browning Nagle, QB (Louisville) – 1991
Tom Osborne, Coach (Nebraska) – 1975, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1996
Chet Parlavecchio, LB (Penn State) – 1980-82
Joe Paterno, Coach (Penn State) – 1977, 1980, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997j
Chris Petersen, Coach (Boise/Washington) – 2007, 2010, 2017
Lawrence Phillips, RB (Nebraska) – 1996
Peerless Price, WR (Tennessee) – 1999
Tony Rice, QB (Notre Dame) – 1989
Rashaan Salaam, RB (Colorado) – 1995
Alex Smith, QB (Utah) – 2005
Steve Smith, DB (Oregon) – 2002
Troy Smith, QB (Ohio State) – 2006
Kordell Stewart, QB (Colorado) – 1993, 1995
Bob Stoops, Coach (Oklahoma) – 2007-08, 2011
Dabo Swinney, Coach (Clemson) – 2016d, 2019d
Ted Johnson, LB (Colorado) – 1995
Jim Tressel, Coach (Ohio State) – 2003-04, 2006, 2009
Curt Warner, RB (Penn State) – 1980
Deshaun Watson, QB (Clemson) – 2016d
Danny White, QB/P (Arizona State) – 1971-73
Peter Tom Willis, QB (Florida State) – 1990
Jared Zabransky, QB (Boise State) – 2007
Fiesta Bowl Founders – 1971
j= January game
d= December game
Here is a snapshot of some activities the Fiesta Bowl will do to commemorate its 50th Anniversary:
- Top 50 Lists, including Players/Coaches, Plays/Moments, Facts, All-Decade Teams
- Dedication of Fiesta Bowl Play at Hance Park as part of Hance Park revitalization project
- Specific merchandise with Fiesta Bowl 50th Anniversary branding
- 50-year Season Ticket Member appreciation event at Ziegler Family Fiesta Bowl Museum
- Fiesta Bowl Football Focus Podcast episodes, including guests Urban Meyer, Mack Brown, 2003 Fiesta Bowl players from Ohio State & Miami and moreVolunteer Appreciation Party at Sun Devil Stadium for volunteers from all 50 years
- Fiesta Bowl-branded license plate for sale through AZDOT
- Editorial pieces from local media outlets to highlight the Fiesta Bowl’s historic moments
There will be increased content from the Fiesta Bowl’s 50-year history on FiestaBowl.org and on the organization’s social media on Twitter and Instagram (@Fiesta_Bowl) and Facebook (@FiestaBowl).
ABOUT THE FIESTA BOWL ORGANIZATION
Since 1971, the Fiesta Bowl is a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision for the importance of community outreach and service. Through the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl, Guaranteed Rate Bowl and its year-round events, such as the Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Parade, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the organization provides charitable giving to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through youth, sports and education.