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Press Release

TEXAS A&M AND #20 OKLAHOMA STATE TO PLAY IN TAXACT TEXAS BOWL

Tickets on Sale for 10th Edition of the SEC and BIG 12 Showdown

HOUSTON – Texas A&M and #20 ranked Oklahoma State have accepted bids to play in the 2023 TaxAct Texas Bowl, the bowl organizing committee announced today. The 2023 TaxAct Texas Bowl will be played at 8 p.m. CT on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at NRG Stadium in Houston. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN and simulcasted on ESPN+ with national radio on ESPN Radio and a local radio broadcast available on SportsRadio 610 (KILT-AM). Tickets and suites are now available for purchase www.taxacttexasbowl.com.

 

“We are thrilled to announce the 2023 TaxAct Texas Bowl between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Oklahoma State Cowboys, two prestigious institutions from the SEC and Big 12,” remarked TaxAct Texas Bowl Executive Director David Fletcher. “The Bowl has become one of the largest annual events in our community and we’re excited to welcome back Texas A&M and Oklahoma State to Houston. We can’t wait to host these teams and their fan bases for a full week of Texas-themed events that will culminate in a primetime showdown at NRG Stadium on December 27.”

 

Texas A&M will represent the Southeastern Conference, while Oklahoma State will represent the Big 12 Conference. The two programs have met 27 times before, with their most recent matchup coming in the 2019 TaxAct Texas Bowl when Texas A&M defeated Oklahoma State, 24-21, on December 27, 2019. The 2023 TaxAct Texas Bowl will mark the Aggies fourth appearance in the bowl and their first since 2019. The Cowboys will make their second appearance in the TaxAct Texas Bowl after being selected in 2019.

 

“We’re excited for TaxAct to be the title sponsor of this game for a third year in a row. Watching this game and celebrating these two great teams is a perfect way to close the year,” said TaxAct Chief Product Officer, Bastien Martini. “And as we’re nearing the end of the college football season, tax season is just around the corner. Rest assured, our team is gearing up and ready to help Americans – from young professionals to small business owners tackle their taxes confidently and successfully, so they can check filing taxes off their list.”

 

Texas A&M comes to Houston on the heels of a 7-5 campaign after finishing 4-4 in the SEC. The Aggies started their season with a bang, routing New Mexico 52-10 and trumping Arkansas 34-22 in an SEC West showdown to go 4-1 through their first five games. Under interim coach Elijah Robinson, the Aggies defense ranked tenth in the nation in yards allowed per game (299.8) and LB Edgerrin Cooper’s 17 tackles for loss leads the SEC and is tied for 10th nationally. Offensively, the high-flying Aggies have tallied over 400 yards of total offense in eight of the team’s 12 games this season, and rank 22nd nationally and fourth in the SEC, averaging 33.8 points per game.

 

Oklahoma State enters the game 9-4 (7-3 in the Big 12), with wins in seven of their last nine games, including a key conference victory over No. 12 Oklahoma and a historic comeback win over BYU. The Cowboys saw standout performances on both sides of the ball throughout the season, led by the nation’s top rusher and Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, running back Ollie Gordon II. Gordon, a unanimous Big 12 First Team All-Conference selection, was also nominated as one of three finalists for the Doak Walker Award after rushing for 1,580 yards (6.4 avg.) and 20 touchdowns in 12 games played. Sophomore linebacker Nickolas Martin also received first team honors, as he leads all Big 12 defenders

 

with 120 total tackles. The Cowboys are led by 19th-year head coach Mike Gundy, who was recently named the 2023 Chuck Neinas Big 12 Coach of the Year, the third time in his career garnering the honor. Gundy owns a career record of 165-78 (.679), the sixth-most wins among active FBS coaches, and an 11-6 (.647) record in bowl game appearances.

 

The 2023 edition of the TaxAct Texas Bowl will mark the event’s 10th year of affiliation with the Big 12 and the SEC. In the 2022 TaxAct Texas Bowl, Texas Tech defeated Ole Miss, 42-25. Red Raiders QB Tyler Shough won MVP honors, going 24-of-39 for 242 yards and one touchdown with two rushing scores. The game welcomed 52,251 fans to NRG Stadium and had a total live audience of over 2.5 million.

 

Entering its 18th year, the TaxAct Texas Bowl is owned and operated by ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, and managed locally by Lone Star Sports & Entertainment, an event management company founded in 2003 that is closely affiliated with the NFL’s Houston Texans. Since 2016, the TaxAct Texas Bowl has the fifth-highest attendance among all college football bowls, trailing only the Rose, Peach, Fiesta and Orange bowls. The TaxAct Texas Bowl and its sister event, the Texas Kickoff, have combined to create an economic impact of close to $80 million annually for the city of Houston while raising over $2.3 million in financial support and millions more in promotional support for DePelchin Children’s Center, Houston’s oldest children’s charity and the bowl’s official charitable beneficiary.

 

For more information about the game and affiliated Bowl Week activities, fans can visit www.taxacttexasbowl.com or follow along on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

 

About TaxAct

TaxAct is a savvy, tax-filing solution that provides filers with affordable DIY tax software to successfully navigate the U.S. tax code. As a pioneer in the industry, TaxAct’s products enable all users – regardless of profession, tax bracket or complexity of their return – to quickly and accurately file their taxes all while discovering new ways to leverage their tax situation and improve their financial well-being. At TaxAct, taxes are our expertise, but we don’t see them as the end goal. Rather, we believe taxes are a stepping-stone to possibility. Possibilities that are unique as every filer. Possibilities that help each hardworking American not only claim the money they deserve but also enable them to make smart money decisions. We deliver the power of possibility through straightforward technology to help filers secure their best tax outcome and elevate their financial lives. To learn more about TaxAct, a business of Cinven, Inc., visit TaxAct.com or connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

 

About ESPN Events ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a portfolio of collegiate sporting events nationwide. In 2023, the 33-event schedule includes four early-season college football kickoff games, 17 college bowl games, nine college basketball events, a college softball event and the inaugural Band of the Year National Championship, in addition to a new college gymnastics event coming in 2024. Collectively, these events account for over 400 hours of live programming on ESPN platforms, while reaching 60 million viewers and attracting more than 650,000 annual attendees. Each year, the portfolio of events features more than 20 Division I conferences and hosts over 4,000 participating student-athletes. With satellite offices in more than 10 cities across the country, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans.

 

For more information, visit the official website, Facebook, X/Twitter or YouTube pages.

Lone Star Sports & Entertainment

Lone Star Sports & Entertainment is an event management company founded in 2003 that is closely affiliated with the NFL’s Houston Texans. Since its founding, LSSE has established itself as the leading sports event promoter in Houston. In addition to producing annual college football events such as the TaxAct Texas Bowl and Texas Kickoff, LSSE has emerged as a premier promoter for international soccer matches, including the Copa de Lone Star, Copa America Centenario, the 2010 MLS All-Star Game, the 2006 FC Barcelona U.S. tour, the International Champions Cup, the 2003 and 2008 matches between the United States and Mexico, a venue-leading seven Concacaf Gold Cups including 2023, and the 2023 Soccer Champions Tour featuring Real Madrid vs. Manchester United.

Press Release

TEXAS BOWL GRIDIRON LEGENDS CLASS OF 2023 ANNOUNCED

HOUSTON – The TaxAct Texas Bowl Committee has selected the 2023 class of Gridiron Legends inductees, the committee announced today. The honorees will be inducted into the Gridiron Legends at a special pregame ceremony during the TaxAct Texas Bowl game at NRG Stadium on Dec. 27.

The 2023 class features Pro Football Hall of Fame member Bruce Matthews, College Football Hall of Fame members Trevor Cobb and Murry Bowden, legendary Katy High School head coach and GHFCA nominee Gary Joseph, longtime FOX sports anchor Mark Berman and former Houston Texans president Jamey Rootes.

The Gridiron Legends have each made significant contributions to the game of football in the state of Texas at the high school, collegiate or professional level. The 2023 class joins 94 other Gridiron Legends who have been inducted since the Bowl’s inception in 2006, including Texas greats Earl Campbell, Joe Greene, Andre Ware, Bum Phillips, Jim Nantz, John David Crow, Andre Johnson and Dave Campbell among others.

Bruce Matthews

Bruce Matthews was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007 following a 19-year career with the Houston Oilers and the Tennessee Titans. Considered one of the most durable and versatile players to play the game, Matthews started in 292 of 296 career games, which is the most career starts with one team in NFL history, the most by any offensive lineman, and the third-most by any player behind QB Tom Brady (333) and QB Brett Favre (298). Matthews started in 229 consecutive games, the fifth-longest streak of its kind, while playing all five positions on the offensive line and never missing a game due to injury. He earned first team All-Pro honors nine times (1988-1993, 1998-2000) and was named to the Pro Bowl 14 times (1988-2001), tied for the second-most all-time. After his retirement from football, Matthews was named to the 1990’s NFL All-Decade Team as a guard, as well as the NFL 100 All-Time Team in 2020 as one of the top 100 players in the first 100 years of the NFL. Matthews, a Raleigh N.C. native is the son of Clay Matthews Sr., who played defensive line for the 49ers.

Trevor Cobb

Trevor Cobb, a Houston native, etched his name in the Rice football record books after four record setting seasons (1989-92). In 44 games played with the Owls, Cobb accumulated a school-record 4,948 career rushing yards, marking the second-most in Southwestern Conference history, and the 28th-most in the history of college football. He holds SWC career records in all-purpose yards (6,512), rushing attempts (1,091) and 200-yard games in a season (6). Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2018, Cobb’s legacy was cemented during his junior year in 1991 when he was named a consensus All-American and won the Doak Walker Award given to the nation’s top running back. He is the first Rice football player to win a major individual award. Following his storied college career, Cobb went on to the NFL, where he played for the Chicago Bears and the Kansas City Chiefs, and later spent time with the Amsterdam Admirals of the NFL Europe League. Upon finishing his football career, he went on to pursue helping and giving back to underprivileged communities in the Houston area through his non-profit organization, Trevor Cobb Helping Hands, which focuses on helping individuals that have experienced medical setbacks along with financial hardship.

Murry Bowden

A native of Colorado City, Texas, Bowden is known as the “Reckless Rover” during his time at Dartmouth College, Murry Bowden’s all-around versatility and durability characterize his enduring impact on the field and his contributions to college football off the field. A team captain and first team All-American at linebacker for the Big Green, Bowden led Dartmouth to Ivy League championships as a junior and senior, including the 1970 season when the team finished 9-0 and was the last Ivy League school to earn a ranking as one of the top 20 teams in the country. He went on to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003. That same year, Bowden became a member of the National Football Foundation Board of Directors, where he played a significant role in helping oversee the construction of the new College Football Hall of Fame and its transition from South Bend, Ind., to Atlanta, Ga. Shortly after the new Hall of Fame was unveiled in 2014, Bowden was named Chairman of Atlanta Hall Management, where he continued his leadership and oversight of the Hall, and later assisted in naming Chick-fil-A as the official title sponsor in 2018. Bowden is also the Founder and Chairman of the Hanover Company.

Gary Joseph – GHFCA Nominee, Legendary Katy HS Coach, Texas Sports Hall of Fame

Since taking the reins at Katy as head coach in 2004, Coach Gary Joseph has led the Katy Tigers to nine state championships – winning five state championships (2007, 2008, 2012, 2015, 2020). After the Tigers' title win in 2012, the team was named National Champions by the National Sports News Service and Coach Joseph was named 2012 National High School Coach of the Year. An eleven-time District 18/19 6A Coach of the Year, Joseph was named Houston Touchdown Club Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2013 and Houston Texans 5A Coach of the Year in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2013. In 2007, Coach Joseph was honored by the Katy Chamber of Commerce as Katy's 2007 Citizen of the Year. Coach Joseph has served on the Board of Directors of the THSCA, the GHFCA, and on the coaching staff of five prestigious all-star games, including the 2009 THSCA game where he served as the head coach for the South All Stars. In 2015, Joseph was named the National Football Coach of the Year by the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) and in 2016, Joseph was inducted into the Texas High School Sports Hall of Fame, joining his father and longtime THSCA Vice President Eddie Joseph. Coach Joseph began his coaching career at Luling High School and advanced in jobs at Brazosport and Austin Westlake before moving to Katy High School, where he has served for 41 years as an assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and head coach. Coach Joseph and his wife Sheila have three children, Jon, Jeff and Julie, and three granddaughters. 

Mark Berman

Longtime sports anchor Mark Berman, who recently retired after 43 years in the business, became the weekend sports anchor/reporter at FOX 26 in 1986 before becoming the station’s sports director in 1988, a position he held until his retirement in June 2023. Throughout his career, Berman worked tirelessly to cover nearly every Houston sporting event and left his mark on many individuals who he came across. A Houston native, Berman grew up in Hempstead and graduated from the University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. Before his time at FOX 26, he previously worked as a weekend anchor/reporter at KOSA-TV in Odessa, Texas and then as a sports director for KIKK radio in Pasadena, Texas. Following his retirement, Berman's hometown of Hempstead presented him with the Trailblazer Award and the key to the city while the Houston Texans honored the long-time reporter with a spot on their Media Wall of Fame. Following in her father’s footsteps, Berman’s daughter Jessica is a television news producer who now works for FOX 26.

Jamey Rootes

Jamey Rootes served as the President of the Houston Texans for over 20 years. During his tenure with the Texans, Rootes managed the team’s efforts to secure stadium-naming rights, sponsorships, coordinated radio and TV broadcasting relationships, engineered the club’s ticket and suite sales campaigns and developed the team’s customer service strategy. Rootes also served as President of Lone Star Sports & Entertainment (LSSE), a sports management agency that has been a catalyst for some of Houston’s most significant sporting events, including premiere college football games and world-class soccer matches. A native of Stone Mountain, GA, Rootes graduated from Clemson University’s Calhoun Honors College. While attending Clemson, Rootes was a member of the Tigers’ soccer team that captured two NCAA titles and served as Student Body President. Before entering the sports industry, Rootes previously held positions at IBM and Procter & Gamble. He is survived by his wife, Melissa, and their children, Chris and Caroline.

For tickets and more information regarding the 2023 TaxAct Texas Bowl featuring the Big 12 versus the SEC, visit https://www.taxacttexasbowl.com/

 

Press Release

2023 Lone Star Player of the Year Award Preseason Watch List Announced

HOUSTON (August 21, 2023) – The TaxAct Texas Bowl in association with the Gridiron Legends announced today the creation of the Lone Star Player of the Year Award. The award will be presented annually to the most outstanding college football player from an institution in the State of Texas as determined by media and the Gridiron Legends. The Lone Star Player of the Year Award is the first award to honor the top college football player in Texas.   

As part of the inaugural award, 50 student athletes representing each Football Bowl Subdivision program in Texas have been named to the preseason Watch List. Texas leads all schools with seven selections, followed by TCU with five, and Houston, Sam Houston, SMU, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, UTEP, and UTSA each with four.  

Following Week Six, a midseason Watch List will be announced which may feature new additions to the list. Finalists will be announced following the conclusion of the regular season and a winner will be selected prior to the start of Bowl Season.  

2023 Lone Star Player of the Year Award Preseason Watch List: 

Ife Adeyi, WR, R-Jr., Sam Houston  

Praise Amaewhule, DE, R-Sr., UTEP  

Kelvin Banks, OL, So., Texas  

Clark Barrington, OL, S-Sr., Baylor  

Gabe Blair, OL, Jr., North Texas  

Jerand Bradley, WR, So., Texas Tech  

Tahj Brooks, RB, Sr., Texas Tech  

Roderick Brown, DL, Jr., North Texas  

Brandon Brown, DL, Jr., UTSA  

Ryan Bujcevski, P, Sr., SMU  

Jalen Catalon, DB, Sr., Texas  

Joshua Cephus, WR, Sr., UTSA  

Elijah Chatman, DL, Sr., SMU  

Lucas Dean, P, Sr., UTSA  

Quinn Ewers, QB, So., Texas  

Malik Fleming, DB, Sr., Houston  

Jaylan Ford, LB, Sr., Texas  

Kavian Gaither, LB, Jr., Sam Houston  

Matthew Golden, WR, So., Houston  

Ethan Hagler, OL, R-Jr., Sam Houston  

Gabe Hall, DL, Sr., Baylor  

Gavin Hardison, QB, R-Sr., UTEP  

Frank Harris, QB, R-Sr., UTSA  

Johnny Hodges, LB, Jr., TCU  

Jaylon Hutchings, DL, S-Sr., Texas Tech  

McKinnley Jackson, DL, Sr., Texas A&M  

Griffin Kell, K, Sr., TCU  

Elijah Klein, OL, R-Sr., UTEP  

Tyrice Knight, LB, R-Sr., UTEP  

Tony Mathis, RB, Jr., Houston  

Luke McCaffrey, WR, R-Jr., Rice  

Chandler Morris, QB, So., TCU  

Byron Murphy II, DL, Jr., Texas  

Josh Newton, DB, Sr., TCU  

Justin Osborne, OL, Sr., SMU  

Patrick Paul, OL, Jr., Houston  

Markel Perry, DL, Gr., Sam Houston  

Richard Reese, RB, So., Baylor  

Jordan Revels, DL, Sr., Texas State  

Mazin Richards, DL, Sr., North Texas  

Demani Richardson, DB, Sr., Texas A&M  

Ja'Tavion Sanders, WR, Jr., Texas  

Clay Servin, OL, R-Sr., Rice  

Tyler Shough, QB, Sr., Texas Tech  

Ainias Smith, WR, Gr., Texas A&M  

Tory Spears, DB, R-Sr., Texas State  

Evan Stewart, WR, So., Texas A&M  

Damonic Williams, DL, So., TCU  

Kobe Wilson, LB, Jr., SMU  

Xavier Worthy, WR, Jr., Texas 

 

Each week during the regular season, the Lone Star Player of the Year Award committee will nominate three Stars of the Week who are eligible to be named Player of the Week. The nominees will be announced each Monday and a fan vote will determine the Player of the Week, which will be announced each Wednesday. Fans can vote at TaxActTexasBowl.com/playeroftheyear. 

Press Release

2023 TaxAct Texas Bowl Set for December 27

HOUSTON – The 2023 TaxAct Texas Bowl will be played in primetime on Wednesday, December 27, at NRG Stadium. The 18th edition of the bowl will be broadcast nationally at 8 p.m. CT (9 p.m. ET) on ESPN and ESPN Radio. This season marks the 10th time a Big 12 team will face an SEC opponent in the game. 

Following the expansion of the Big 12, Brigham Young University, the University of Central Florida, the University of Cincinnati and the University of Houston will all have a chance at being selected to the 2023 TaxAct Texas Bowl for the first time. The Big 12 leads the series 5-3, after winning the last two matchups.

In the 2022 TaxAct Texas Bowl, Texas Tech defeated Ole Miss, 42-25. Red Raiders QB Tyler Shough won MVP honors, going 24-of-39 for 242 yards and one touchdown with two rushing scores. The game welcomed 52,251 fans to NRG Stadium and had a total live audience of over 2.5 million. 

Through the years, the TaxAct Texas Bowl has been a tremendous success both on and off the field. Since 2014, the game is the most attended Bowl in the country outside of the “New Year’s 6” games.  The Bowl has also generated an average of over $40 million annually for the Houston economy and has contributed over $2.3 million in financial support to DePelchin Children’s Center, The Bowl’s official charitable beneficiary and one of the oldest children’s organizations in the city. 

The TaxAct Texas Bowl is one of 17 bowl games owned and operated by ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, and managed locally by Lone Star Sports & Entertainment.  To be the first to get ticket updates and for more information around the game, fans can sign up for the TaxAct Texas Bowl wait list at www.taxacttexasbowl.com.

Following the TaxAct Texas Bowl, all attention will return to Houston as NRG Stadium hosts the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship Game Presented by AT&T on January 8. 

 

About Lone Star Sports & Entertainment

Lone Star Sports & Entertainment is an event management company founded in 2003 that is closely affiliated with the NFL’s Houston Texans. Since its founding, LSSE has established itself as the leading sports event promoter in Houston. In addition to producing annual college football events such as the TaxAct Texas Bowl and Texas Kickoff, LSSE has emerged as a premier promoter for international soccer matches, including the Copa de Lone Star, Copa America Centenario, the 2010 MLS All-Star Game, the 2006 FC Barcelona U.S. tour, the International Champions Cup, the 2003 and 2008 matches between the United States and Mexico, a venue-leading seven Concacaf Gold Cups including 2023, and the 2023 Soccer Champions Tour featuring Real Madrid vs. Manchester United.

About ESPN Events

ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a portfolio of collegiate sporting events nationwide. In 2023, the 32-event schedule includes four early-season college football kickoff games, 17 college bowl games, nine college basketball events, and a college softball event, in addition to a new college gymnastics event coming in 2024. Collectively, these events account for over 400 hours of live programming on ESPN platforms, while reaching 60 million viewers and attracting more than 650,000 annual attendees. Each year, the portfolio of events features more than 20 Division I conferences and hosts over 4,000 participating student-athletes. With satellite offices in more than 10 cities across the country, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans. 

For more information, visit the official website, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube pages.

 

Press Release

TaxAct Texas Bowl Gives Record Annual Donation to DePelchin Children’s Center

TaxAct Texas Bowl Surpasses $2.3 Million in Total Giving

HOUSTON – Today, the TaxAct Texas Bowl announced a $225,000 donation to DePelchin Children's Center, setting a record for a single-year contribution from the Bowl. Since selecting DePelchin Children’s Center as its charitable beneficiary in 2006, the Bowl has provided over $2.3 million in direct financial support and millions more in promotional support. This is the eleventh-straight year the Bowl has provided a gift of $100,000 or more. 

The Bowl presented the check to Jenifer Jarriel, President and CEO of DePelchin Children’s Center at their Houston Main Campus. 

“On behalf of the board, staff, and families served at DePelchin Children's Center, we are so thankful for our long-standing partnership with the TaxAct Texas Bowl,” said Jarriel. “Over the last seventeen years, our friends at the Bowl have not only provided more than $2.3 million dollars to support and sustain children in our community, but they have given families memories that will last a lifetime by hosting fun events and gameday experiences. We are excited to see what more is to come from our amazing partnership.”

TaxAct Texas Bowl Board of Directors Chair, and Senior Vice President and Market Manager for Audacy Houston Sarah Frazier spearheaded fundraising efforts over the last year. 

“We are excited to add to the TaxAct Texas Bowl’s legacy of supporting DePelchin Children’s Center,” said Frazier. “The team at DePelchin provides vital services to our community that strengthen families and create opportunities for children across Texas to meet their fullest potential. I am thankful for the support from our partners, fans, and my fellow board members who made this donation possible.” 

Beyond financial and promotional support, the TaxAct Texas Bowl provides once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to families within the DePelchin network including field days with participating teams, tickets to the game, and on-field recognition. 

“Our ability to directly put a smile on the face of children from across the Houston-area is one of the most rewarding pieces of our partnership,” said TaxAct Texas Bowl Executive Director David Fletcher. “It is a treat to see the kids interact with student-athletes and establish new role models. I look forward to building on these initiatives for years to come.”

Founded in 1892 by Kezia Payne DePelchin, DePelchin Children’s Center is an accredited foster care and adoption agency serving the most vulnerable children and families in Texas and working to break the cycles of abuse and neglect. DePelchin’s approach to caring for kids integrates at-risk prevention, foster care, adoption and post-adoption programs to improve the mental health and physical well-being of children who are at risk of entering or are in the State’s child welfare system.

The 2022 TaxAct Texas Bowl matched the Texas Tech Red Raiders against the Ole Miss Rebels in the ninth year of the Bowl’s partnership with the Big 12 and the SEC. Texas Tech won 42-25 to cap off an eight-win season in HC Joey McGuire’s first campaign at the helm for the Red Raiders.

About the TaxAct Texas Bowl

The TaxAct Texas Bowl is owned and operated by ESPN Events and managed locally by Lone Star Sports & Entertainment. The Bowl annually showcases teams from the Big 12 and the SEC, two of the country’s premier athletic conferences. Through the years, the TaxAct Texas Bowl has been a tremendous success both on and off the field. Since 2014 the game is the most attended Bowl in the country outside of the “New Year’s 6” games.  The Bowl has also generated an average of $40 million annually for the Houston economy and has contributed over $2.3 million in financial support to DePelchin Children’s Center, The Bowl’s official charitable beneficiary and one of the oldest children’s organizations in the city.

 

 

 

Press Release

TIMPSON HIGH SCHOOL ATH TERRY BUSSEY ANNOUNCED AS 2022 MR. TEXAS FOOTBALL

HOUSTON – Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, the leading publication for all things football in Texas, and the TaxAct Texas Bowl are proud to announce Timpson High School ATH Terry Bussey as the recipient of the 2022 Mr. Texas Football High School Player of the Year Award presented by Kroger. Bussey will be honored on the field at the TaxAct Texas Bowl on Wednesday, December 28, at NRG Stadium in Houston, where the Texas Tech Red Raiders will face the Ole Miss Rebels.

Mr. Texas Football annually recognizes the most outstanding high school football player in the state of Texas. As a longtime partner of the TaxAct Texas Bowl and a proud supporter of Texas high school football, Kroger is proud to team up with Mr. Texas Football as the award’s presenting partner this year.

A three-way superstar, Bussey made his impact felt on seemingly every play. As a quarterback, the junior threw for 2,177 yards and 26 touchdowns, completing 64 percent of his passes. Bussey also rushed for 2,596 yards and 46 touchdowns, averaging a staggering 14.1 yards per carry. Defensively, he tallied 115 tackles and five interceptions, returning four of them for touchdowns. On special teams, Bussey returned three kickoffs for touchdowns and added a punt return for a score. Over the course of the season, Bussey accounted for 4,773 yards of total offense and 80 total touchdowns, guiding Timpson to the 2A Division I state semifinals.

Bussey is rated as a Dave Campbell’s Texas Football four-star prospect, checking in as the state’s No. 1 ATH in the 2024 cycle. He already boasts several offers from schools, including Baylor, Houston, SMU, TCU, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, UTSA, Colorado, Kansas State, Oklahoma and Oregon.

Previous recipients of the award include 2018 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick QB Kyler Murray (2013 and 2014, Allen), 2012 Heisman Trophy winner QB Johnny Manziel (2010, Kerrville Tivy), former Texas Longhorns RB Johnathan Gray (2011, Aledo), former Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Jacquizz Rodgers (2007, Lamar Consolidated), current Oklahoma State QB Spencer Sanders (2017, Denton Ryan) and former Dallas Cowboys QB Garrett Gilbert (2008, Lake Travis). Former China Spring quarterback and current Lamar University RB Major Bowden took home the award in 2021.

The TaxAct Texas Bowl will continue its annual tradition of pinning the Big 12 against the SEC, with tickets available at TaxActTexasBowl.com. 

For more information on the Mr. Texas Football Award presented by Kroger, visit TaxActTexasBowl.com or TexasFootball.com.

About the TaxAct Texas Bowl

The TaxAct Texas Bowl is owned and operated by ESPN Events and managed locally by Lone Star Sports & Entertainment. The Bowl annually showcases teams from the Big 12 and the SEC, two of the country’s premier athletic conferences. Through the years, the TaxAct Texas Bowl has been a tremendous success both on and off the field. Since 2014 the game is the most attended Bowl in the country outside of the “New Year’s 6” games.  The bowl has also generated an average of $40 million annually for the Houston economy and has contributed over $2.1 million in financial support to DePelchin Children’s Center, The Bowl’s official charitable beneficiary and one of the oldest children’s organizations in the city.

About Dave Campbell’s Texas Football

For more than 62 years, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football has been “the bible” to millions of football fans across the Lone Star State. The annual summer edition of the magazine remains a rite of passage for all Texans, previewing every football team in the state — from the rabid world of Texas high school football, through the college ranks, and into the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans. Over the course of six decades, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football remains the undisputed leader in Texas high school football, Texas college football and more.

TexasFootball.com is the online home of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, covering high school football, college football and recruiting across the Lone Star State. From thought-provoking commentary to videos to podcasts to its daily live show, nobody covers football in Texas like TexasFootball.com.

About Kroger

At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: to Feed the Human Spirit™. We are, across our family of companies, nearly half a million associates who serve over nine million customers daily through a seamless digital shopping experience and 2,800 retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.

Press Release

OLE MISS AND TEXAS TECH ACCEPT BIDS TO PLAY IN TAXACT TEXAS BOWL

Tickets on Sale for 17th Edition of Houston’s Largest Annual College Football Event

HOUSTON – Ole Miss and Texas Tech have accepted bids to play in the 2022 TaxAct Texas Bowl, the bowl organizing committee announced today. The 2022 TaxAct Texas Bowl will be played at 8 p.m. CT on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at NRG Stadium in Houston. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN with national radio on ESPN Radio and a local radio broadcast available on SportsRadio 610 (KILT-AM). Tickets and suites are now available for purchase www.taxacttexasbowl.com. 

“We are excited to announce the 2022 TaxAct Texas Bowl between the Ole Miss Rebels and Texas Tech Red Raiders, two great institutions from the SEC and Big 12, respectively,” remarked TaxAct Texas Bowl Executive Director, David Fletcher. “The Bowl is one of the largest annual events in our community and we’re thrilled to welcome Ole Miss and Texas Tech back to Houston. We look forward to hosting these teams and their fan bases for a festive bowl week of Texas-themed events that will culminate in a primetime showdown at NRG Stadium on December 28.” 

Ole Miss will represent the Southeastern Conference, while Texas Tech will represent the Big 12 Conference. The two programs have met six times before, with Ole Miss most recently earning a 47-27 victory against Texas Tech on September 1, 2018, at the Texas Kickoff in Houston. The 2022 TaxAct Texas Bowl will mark Ole Miss’ first appearance in the bowl. Texas Tech will make its third appearance in the TaxAct Texas Bowl and first since December 29, 2015, when the Red Raiders were defeated by No. 22 LSU 56-27.  

“Ole Miss and Texas Tech are two programs with tremendous fans and traditions. We look forward to celebrating their outstanding achievements this season at the TaxAct Texas Bowl,” said TaxAct President Curtis Campbell. 

Ole Miss (8-4, 4-4 SEC) comes to Houston following a campaign that had an explosive start in 2022. Lane Kiffin’s offensive prowess facilitated a rushing attack that led the SEC and ranked third in the FBS in rushing offense. The Rebels came in second in the SEC and seventh nationally in total offense. True freshman sensation RB Quinshon Judkins led the conference in rushing yards with 1,476. Judkins ranks sixth in the nation for rushing touchdowns (16), and ninth in rushing yards per game (123.0). The Rebels defense has caused problems for opposing offenses as they lead the SEC in team tackles (922) and sack yards with 253 on 33.0 sacks. 

“We look forward to making our first appearance in the TaxAct Texas Bowl and continuing our rich bowl tradition,” said Ole Miss Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter. “Houston is one of our largest and most passionate alumni bases, and this game presents an excellent opportunity to join the Ole Miss family in the Lone Star state. We are grateful for this national platform, and we expect Rebel Nation to be well represented.” 

Texas Tech enters the game 7-5 (5-4 Big 12), winning their last three in a row against Kansas, Iowa State, and Oklahoma to finish fourth in the Big 12. The Red Raiders celebrated early season upsets against No. 25 Houston and No. 22 Texas in Lubbock. Texas Tech leads the Big 12 in passing yards per game, averaging over 327. The offense effectively moved the ball, ranking third in the nation for first downs. The Red Raider defense recorded a conference-high 29.0 sacks this season. Run-stuffing LB Krishon Merriweather finished second in the Big 12 for total tackles with 91. Texas Tech was staunch in the red zone, ranking ninth in the nation in defensive red zone efficiency.  

“Texas Tech is honored to accept an invitation to play in the TaxAct Texas Bowl,” said Texas Tech Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt. “We cannot wait to showcase our football program in one of the largest alumni bases of Red Raiders in the state of Texas. We look forward to painting the city of Houston and NRG Stadium scarlet and black for an exciting matchup with Ole Miss.”  

“On behalf of our entire program, we are excited for the opportunity to play in one of the premier bowl games this state has to offer in the TaxAct Texas Bowl,” said Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire. “Wherever the Red Raiders go, so does the most passionate fan base in all of college football. We can’t wait to see a sea of Red Raiders take over NRG Stadium as we face a talented Ole Miss team.” 

The 2022 edition of the TaxAct Texas Bowl will mark the event’s ninth year of affiliation with the Big 12 and the SEC. The 2021 game featured Kansas State and LSU with the Wildcats emerging victorious 42-20. Kansas State senior QB Skylar Thompson was recognized with MVP honors following a three-touchdown performance. 

Entering its 17th year, the TaxAct Texas Bowl is owned and operated by ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, and managed locally by Lone Star Sports & Entertainment, an event management company founded in 2003 that is closely affiliated with the NFL’s Houston Texans. Since 2016, the TaxAct Texas Bowl has the fifth-highest attendance among all college football bowls, trailing only the Rose, Peach, Fiesta and Orange bowls. The TaxAct Texas Bowl and its sister event, the Texas Kickoff, have combined to create an economic impact of close to $80 million annually for the city of Houston while raising over $2.1 million in financial support and millions more in promotional support for DePelchin Children’s Center, Houston’s oldest children’s charity and the bowl’s official charitable beneficiary. 

For more information about the game and affiliated Bowl Week activities, fans can visit www.taxacttexasbowl.com or follow along on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. 

About TaxAct 

TaxAct is a savvy, tax-filing solution that provides filers with affordable DIY tax software to successfully navigate the U.S. tax code. As a pioneer in the industry, TaxAct’s products enable all users – regardless of profession, tax bracket or complexity of their return – to quickly and accurately file their taxes all while discovering new ways to leverage their tax situation and improve their financial well-being. At TaxAct, taxes are our expertise, but we don’t see them as the end goal. Rather, we believe taxes are a stepping-stone to possibility. Possibilities that are unique as every filer. Possibilities that help each hardworking American not only claim the money they deserve but also enable them to make smart money decisions. We deliver the power of possibility through straightforward technology to help filers secure their best tax outcome and elevate their financial lives. 

To learn more about TaxAct, a business of Blucora, Inc. (NASDAQ: BCOR), visit www.taxact.com or connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. For more information on Blucora, visit www.blucora.com. 

About ESPN Events  

ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a portfolio of collegiate sporting events nationwide. In 2022, the 32-event schedule includes three early-season college football kickoff games, 17 college bowl games, 11 college basketball events, and a college softball event, which account for approximately 400 hours of live programming, while reaching nearly 64 million viewers and attracting over 800,000 annual attendees. With satellite offices in more than 10 cities across the country, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans. For more information, visit the official website, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube pages. 

Lone Star Sports & Entertainment 

Lone Star Sports & Entertainment is an event management company founded in 2003 that is closely affiliated with the NFL’s Houston Texans. Since its founding, LSSE has established itself as the leading sports event promoter in Houston. In addition to producing annual college football events such as the TaxAct Texas Bowl and the Battle of the Piney Woods rivalry between Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin, LSSE has emerged as a premier promoter for international soccer matches, including the Copa de Lone Star, Copa America Centenario, the 2010 MLS All-Star Game featuring Manchester United, the 2006 FC Barcelona U.S. tour, the International Champions Cup, the 2003 and 2008 matches between the United States and Mexico, and the 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2019 and 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cups. 

Press Release

2022 Mr. Texas Football Top 25 Semifinalists

HOUSTON – Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, the leading publication for all things football in Texas, and the TaxAct Texas Bowl proudly announce the 25 semifinalists for the Mr. Texas Football High School Player of the Year Award presented by Kroger. 

This year, Kroger is teaming up with Mr. Texas Football as the award’s presenting partner.  Kroger is a longtime partner of the TaxAct Texas Bowl and a proud supporter of Texas high school football. 

Mr. Texas Football annually recognizes the most outstanding high school football player in the state of Texas. Each week, fans are given a chance to vote for the player of the week on TexasFootball.com. In December, 10 finalists will be announced and fans can then cast their votes as to who should be named Mr. Texas Football. The winner of the 2022 Mr. Texas Football Award presented by Kroger will be announced prior to the TaxAct Texas Bowl, which will be played at NRG Stadium on December 28, 2022. 

Previous recipients of the award include 2018 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick QB Kyler Murray (2013 and 2014, Allen), 2012 Heisman Trophy winner QB Johnny Manziel (2010, Kerrville Tivy), former Texas Longhorns RB Johnathan Gray (2011, Aledo), former Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Jacquizz Rodgers (2007, Lamar Consolidated), current Oklahoma State QB Spencer Sanders (2017, Denton Ryan) and former Dallas Cowboys QB Garrett Gilbert (2008, Lake Travis). Former China Spring quarterback and current Lamar University RB Major Bowden took home the award in 2021.

The TaxAct Texas Bowl will continue its annual tradition of pinning the Big 12 against the SEC, with teams slated to be announced on Dec. 4, 2022.

For more information on the Mr. Texas Football Award presented by Kroger, visit TaxActTexasBowl.com or TexasFootball.com.

2022 Mr. Texas Football Semifinalists

QB Austin Novosad, Dripping Springs

QB Cash McCollum, China Spring

QB Evan Bullock, Anna

QB Jackson Arnold, Denton Guyer

QB Kanon Gibson, Wink

RB Bryson Washington, Franklin

RB Dalton Brooks, Shiner

RB Dawson Pendergrass, Mineola

RB Makenzie McGill, Mount Vernon

RB Owen Allen, Southlake Carroll

RB Re’shaun Sanford, Killeen Harker Heights

RB Reuben Owens, El Campo

RB Shastin Golden, San Antonio Davenport

RB Tate Maruska, Stephenville

RB Taylor Tatum, Longview

RB Tyvonn Byars, Montgomery Lake Creek

WR Dre’lon Miller, Silsbee

WR Johntay Cook, DeSoto

WR Lonnie Adkism, Corpus Christi Miller

WR Miles Coleman, Austin Vandegrift

DB Malik Muhammad, South Oak Cliff

DB Peyton Bowen, Denton Guyer

DE Colten Vasek, Austin Westlake

ATH David Amador, Galena Park North Shore

ATH Terry Bussey, Timpson

About the TaxAct Texas Bowl

The TaxAct Texas Bowl is owned and operated by ESPN Events and managed locally by Lone Star Sports & Entertainment. The Bowl annually showcases teams from the Big 12 and the SEC, two of the country’s premier athletic conferences. Through the years, the TaxAct Texas Bowl has been a tremendous success both on and off the field. Since 2014 the game is the most attended Bowl in the country outside of the “New Year’s 6” games.  The bowl has also generated an average of $40 million annually for the Houston economy and has contributed over $2.1 million in financial support to DePelchin Children’s Center, The Bowl’s official charitable beneficiary and one of the oldest children’s organizations in the city.

About Dave Campbell’s Texas Football

For more than 62 years, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football has been “the bible” to millions of football fans across the Lone Star State. The annual summer edition of the magazine remains a rite of passage for all Texans, previewing every football team in the state — from the rabid world of Texas high school football, through the college ranks, and into the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans. Over the course of six decades, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football remains the undisputed leader in Texas high school football, Texas college football and more.

TexasFootball.com is the online home of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, covering high school football, college football and recruiting across the Lone Star State. From thought-provoking commentary to videos to podcasts to its daily live show, nobody covers football in Texas like TexasFootball.com.

About Kroger

At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: to Feed the Human Spirit™. We are, across our family of companies, nearly half a million associates who serve over nine million customers daily through a seamless digital shopping experience and 2,800 retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.

Press Release

TAXACT TEXAS BOWL FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER AND HOUSTON BUSINESSMAN LARRY CATUZZI INDUCTED IN BOWL SEASON HALL OF FAME FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL CONTRIBUTIONS

HOUSTON – Houston businessman and philanthropist Larry Catuzzi has been selected as a member of the 2022 Bowl Season Leadership Hall of Fame for his contributions to the sport of college football, Bowl Season and the TaxAct Texas Bowl announced today.  Catuzzi will be honored in Houston in recognition of this achievement at NRG Stadium, home of the TaxAct Texas Bowl, during the Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans game this Sunday. 

 

"We're excited to honor some longtime valued contributors to bowl games and college football," said Bowl Season Executive Director Nick Carparelli. "Celebrating friends like Larry who have given so much back to the game is always a thrill. He is most deserving, and we thank him for his dedication and service."

 

“Coach” Catuzzi is one of college football’s true gentlemen, devoting over 50 years to the good of the sport and over 30 years to growing the business of post season college football.  Following his time playing quarterback at the University of Delaware from 1955-1957, Catuzzi launched a decade plus career in coaching with stops at the University of Dayton, Indiana University and as a member of Woody Hayes’ staff at the Ohio State University before becoming the head coach at Williams College from 1968-1970.  

 

After a successful career in investment banking, Catuzzi returned to college football as a member of the Board of Directors for the Bluebonnet Bowl Association, serving as President throughout the early 1980s.  The Bluebonnet Bowl proudly served college football fans and charities through the Houston community as a mainstay on the Bowl Season calendar from 1959 until 1987.  During Coach Catuzzi’s time as a member of the leadership of the event, the Bluebonnet Bowl featured teams from the Big 10, Pac-10, Southwest Conference, Big 8 and SEC and included legendary matchups between coaching greats like Bo Schembechler, Jimmy Johnson, John Robinson, Bill Yeoman, Grant Teaff, Johnny Majors, Lou Holtz, Terry Donahue and many others.

 

Catuzzi also served as Vice Chairman of the Harris-County Houston Sports Authority and was instrumental in paving the road for NRG Stadium to be built in 2002 and bringing big time college football back to Houston.  He was a founding member of the TaxAct Texas Bowl Board of Directors upon its launch in 2006 and part of the group that forged the sale of the event to ESPN in 2009.  He continues to still serve on the TaxAct Texas Bowl and HCHSA today as the longest serving member of both organizations.  

 

Since 2001, following the tragedies of 9/11 that took his daughter Lauren’s life, Larry has also served as a director of the Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas Foundation, which provided numerous scholarships to young women around the country entering college and, in addition, in conjunction with the City of Houston, built Lauren’s Garden at Market Square Park, honoring Lauren and all the victims of 9/11.  He also served on the Flight 93 Federal Advisory Commission, championing efforts to develop, fundraise for and finance the Flight 93 National Museum that opened in Shanksville, PA in 2011. 

 

Coach Catuzzi joins five other new members into the Leadership Hall of Fame class for 2022 including Richard Giannini from the Bahamas Bowl, Mickey Holmes from the Sugar Bowl, Tom Mickle from the Citrus Bowl, Jimmy Rogers from the Sun Bowl and Ellie Ziegler from the Fiesta Bowl.

 

Press Release

TAXACT TEXAS BOWL GRIDIRON LEGENDS CLASS OF 2022 ANNOUNCED

HOUSTON – The TaxAct Texas Bowl Committee has selected the 2022 Class of Gridiron Legends, the committee announced today. The honorees will be inducted at a special pregame ceremony during the 2022 TaxAct Texas Bowl game at NRG Stadium on Dec. 28.

 

The 2022 class features Greater Houston High School Coaches Association Nominee Todd Dodge, consensus first-team All-American (1991) and Super Bowl XXXI champion Santana Dotson, Rio Hondo, native and former Chicago Bear and Atlanta Falcon Roberto Garza, two-time Pro Bowler and New York Giants running back Rodney Hampton, former No. 1 overall pick and three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Pro Football Hall of Fame member Warren Moon, former University of Houston and College Football Hall of Fame member Elmo Wright. 

 

Todd Dodge

Todd Dodge recently retired as the head football coach at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas and is a former quarterback for the University of Texas at Austin Longhorns. Following his college graduation, Dodge began his coaching career at the high school level. He landed his first head coach title at C.H. Yoe High School and would go on to coach successful high school football teams for 10 years. In 2006, Dodge shifted to college football and was hired as head coach for the North Texas Mean Green until returning to the high school level and coaching for Austin Westlake High School in 2014. In his last three seasons as head coach before retiring in 2021, the team went 45-1 and won three consecutive 6A state championships. This achievement made Dodge the first Texas high school football coach to win three-straight championships with two different schools, after doing so for Southlake Carroll (2004-2007) and Austin Westlake (2019-2021).

 

Santana Dotson 

Santana Dotson was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round (132nd overall) of the 1992 NFL Draft, finishing second in the NFL Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. Dotson played in 152 games (129 starts) over a 10-year NFL career with the Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers. He registered 49.0 career sacks which included 13 tackles for loss, six fumble recoveries and 460 total tackles. In his first season with the Green Bay Packers in 1996, Dotson helped the team to a Super Bowl XXXI victory, a 35-21 triumph over the New England Patriots. Dotson was a three-year starter at Baylor, finishing his career with 193 tackles, 18.0 sacks and four forced fumbles. He was a three-time all-conference pick and a consensus first-team All-American as a senior in 1991, when he had 60 tackles, 4.0 sacks and two blocked kicks. Dotson attended Yates High School in Houston where he was part of the 1985 5A state championship team.

 

Roberto Garza 

Garza, born in Rio Hondo, Texas, was a fourth-round pick (99th overall) by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2001 NFL Draft. After four years in Atlanta, Garza joined the Chicago Bears, playing with the team from 2005-2014. While with the Bears, Garza helped block for 1,000-yard rushers in six campaigns and started at both center and guard. He played in 206 games during his NFL career, appearing in all 16 games 10 times (2001, 2004-09, 2011-13). Garza played in eight postseason contests, starting every game. Garza attended Texas A&M University-Kingsville, playing three seasons with the team. He earned three straight all-conference nods while starting 30 of the team’s 40 games during that time. In addition to his football success, Garza found success in track & field, finishing third in the shot put at the 1999 NCAA Championships and winning the NCAA title in 2000. Since his retirement he has also served as a sideline reporter for the Fox Deportes’ broadcast of Super Bowl XLVIII.

 

Ed “Too Tall” Jones 

Ed “Too Tall” Jones played his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys, appearing in 224 games and starting 203 of those contests. He was three-time Pro Bowl selection, earned a spot on the 1982 Associated Press All-Pro team and helped Dallas to a 1977 Super Bowl XII victory over the Denver Broncos. “Too Tall” registered 106.0 career sacks, which ranks top 50 in the NFL’s all-time sack leader ranks. His most productive season rushing the passer came in 1985, when he started all 16 games and recorded a career-best 13.0 sacks, which ranked as the eight-most that season. Jones retired at the end of the 1989 season, playing the most games by any Cowboys players (232) in franchise history. After signing with Tennessee State to play basketball, Jones shifted focus after two years at the school to concentrate on football. Jones became a two-time All-American and won the Black College Football National Championship in 1971 and 1973. He ranks third in school sacks in a season (12.0) and fifth in career sacks (38.0). From there, he was the first overall pick in the 1974 NFL Draft, becoming the first football player from a historically black college to go that high in the NFL draft. 

 

Rodney Hampton 

Rodney Hampton, a Houston native, played in 104 games (85 starts) during his NFL career all with the New York Giants. During his career, Hampton garnered two Pro Bowl appearances and rushed for 6,897 yards and scored 49 rushing touchdowns. His 6,897 rushing yards were the most in franchise history until he was surpassed by Tiki Barber in 2004. During his best season in 1992, Hampton rushed for 1,141 yards, 14 scores while averaging 71.3 yards on the ground per game. During Hampton’s rookie season, he helped the Giants claim Super Bowl XXV, a 20-19 victory over the Buffalo Bills. The Kashmere High School alum attended the University of Georgia, where he was a first round pick (24th overall) in the 1990 NFL Draft. While in Athens, Georgia, Hampton posted 2,668 rushing yards, 22 touchdowns and averaged 5.7 yards per rush. 

 

Warren Moon

Warren Moon was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006 for his career performance over 17 seasons in the NFL. After six years in the CFL, Moon joined the Houston Oilers in 1984 and set a new club record with 3,338 passing yards in his first season. He found the most success in the 1990 NFL season when he led the league in passing yards (4,689), attempts (584), completions (362) and touchdowns (33). Moon was named Offensive Player of the Year and joined Dan Marino and Dan Fouts as the only quarterbacks to post back-to-back 4,000-passing yards seasons. He would later spend time with the Minnesota Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks, before ending his NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs. Over the span of his NFL career, Moon recorded four 4,000-yard passing seasons, 49,325 passing yards, nine Pro Bowls and 291 touchdowns. Moon was born in Los Angeles, California and attended West Los Angeles College for two years before joining the football team at University of Washington. His induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame marked the first time a black quarterback and the first time an undrafted quarter earned this honor. He’s also the only player in both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. 

 

Elmo Wright

Elmo Wright was a star wide receiver at the University of Houston and earned himself a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame in 2020. Wright is most notably remembered for being the first football player to ever perform an end zone dance, as he would high-step into the endzone after a long touchdown reception for Houston. To this day, he still owns school records in all-purpose career average yards per play (21.0), yards per reception in a season (27.9 in 1968), career yards per reception (21.9), 200-yard receiving games in a season (2 in 1968 and 1969) and 200-yard career receiving games (4). Following his collegiate career, Wright was chosen by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the 1971 NFL Draft where he would play for four seasons. He returned to Houston in 1975 when he briefly spent time with the Houston Oilers and the New England Patriots. Wright was born in Brazoria, Texas and won two-consecutive high school state championships (1965 and 1966). He still resides in Houston, Texas and volunteers with the local YMCA Chapter. He’s also a member of the University of Houston Athletics Hall of Honor and the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame. 

 

For tickets and more information regarding the 2022 TaxAct Texas Bowl, visit https://www.taxacttexasbowl.com/ 

 

PR CONTACTS:

Tim Wiemann (tim.wiemann@houstontexans.com) 

Rachel Richards (rachel.richards@houstontexans.com)

Jack Holmes (jack.holmes@houstontexans.com)