HOUSTON – LSU and Baylor have accepted bids to play in the 2024 Kinder’s Texas Bowl, the bowl organizing committee announced today. The 2024 Kinder’s Texas Bowl will be played at 2:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday, December 31, at NRG Stadium, in Houston. The 19th edition of the bowl will be televised nationally on ESPN and simulcast on ESPN+ with national radio coverage on Bowl Season Radio and a local radio broadcast available on SportsRadio 610 (KILT-AM). This season marks the 11th year of the Big 12 versus SEC matchup in the game. Tickets and suites are now available for purchase https://www.kinderstexasbowl.com/ 

“We are fired up to announce the 2024 Kinder’s Texas Bowl between the LSU Tigers and the Baylor Bears, two prestigious institutions from the SEC and Big 12,” remarked Kinder’s Texas Bowl Executive Director David Fletcher. “The Bowl is historically one of the largest annual events in our community and this year’s game is no exception.  We look forward to welcoming LSU, Baylor and college football fans from throughout the region to Houston for a week of Texas-themed events that will culminate in a New Year’s Eve showdown at NRG Stadium on December 31.” 

LSU will represent the Southeastern Conference, while Baylor will represent the Big 12 Conference. The two programs have met 11 times before, with their most recent matchup coming in the 1985 Liberty Bowl when Baylor defeated LSU, 21-7, on December 27, 1985. The 2024 Kinder’s Texas Bowl will mark the Tigers third appearance in the bowl and their first since the 2021 season. The Bears will also make their third appearance in the Bowl after most recently being selected in 2018. 

LSU enters the game riding a 2-game winning streak and with an 8-4 overall mark following wins over Vanderbilt and Oklahoma to close out the regular-season. LSU went 5-3 in SEC play with key wins over Ole Miss and South Carolina. Overall, LSU faced 10 bowl-eligible teams this year, winning seven of those games. Offensively, the Tigers feature one of the nation’s top passing games led by junior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who has thrown for 3,735 yards and 26 touchdowns. Nussmeier’s 312 completions this year leads the SEC and ranks No. 2 all-time in LSU history, while his 3,735 passing yards rank No. 2 in the league and third in school history. The Tiger offense features three 50-catch receivers paced by Kyren Lacy (58 rec., 866 yards, 9 TDs). Running backs Caden Durham and Josh Williams have combined to rush for 1,133 yards and 11 touchdowns. Defensively, linebacker Whit Weeks is among the finest at his position nationally and leads the Tigers with 119 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss. Edge rusher Bradyn Swinson ranks among the SEC leaders in both sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (13.0). Head coach Brian Kelly, in his third season with the Tigers, is the winningest active NCAA coach with 313 career victories. Since taking over at LSU in 2022, Kelly has guided the Tigers to a 28-11 mark, which includes 17 SEC regular-season wins, the third-most in the league over that span trailing only Georgia (22) and Alabama (19). He’s been named National Coach of the Year three times and will be leading a team to a bowl appearance for the 18th time. 

Baylor enters the Kinder’s Texas Bowl having won six-straight games to conclude the regular season for the first time in program history, sporting an 8-4 (6-3 Big 12 Conference) record. This marks Baylor's 12th bowl berth in the last 15 years and its first trip to Houston since besting Vanderbilt in the 2018 Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl. The Bears have rolled through the last half of their schedule by utilizing one of the nation's top offensive attacks, a well-balanced approach that ranks No. 5 or 6 in yards per game, yards per play and points per game over the last two months. Powering the Baylor offensive attack has been the nation's No. 5 rated quarterback, junior Sawyer Robertson, who leads the Big 12 in QBR and has slung 26 TDs, the sixth-most in single-season BU history, while starting the last 10 games of the year. Running back Bryson Washington has also powered the offense, rushing for a Baylor freshman-record 1,004 yards and 12 TDs in just 10 games, ranking third among all FBS freshmen in both categories. Defensively, fifth-year head coach Dave Aranda - known as one of the top defensive minds in football for the last 15 years - is in his first season calling defensive plays and coaching inside linebackers, with his two linebackers becoming the first LB duo in program history to each earn first-team All-Big 12 honors in the same season. Matt Jones and Keaton Thomas each topped over 100 tackles, a first for a BU linebacker duo since 2012. Aranda is a former national coach of the year after leading the Bears to a 12-2 record and the Big 12 and Sugar Bowl titles in 2021. 

In the 2023 Texas Bowl, Oklahoma State claimed a 31-23 victory over Texas A&M. Cowboys WR Rashod Owens earned MVP honors after recording 10 receptions for 164 yards and two touchdowns. The game welcomed 55,212 fans to NRG Stadium and had a total live audience of 3.2 million viewers.

Through the years, the Kinder’s 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 bowls included in the College Football Playoff games. The Bowl has also generated an average of over $30 million annually for the Houston economy and has contributed over $2.5 million in financial support to DePelchin Children’s Center, the Bowl’s official charitable beneficiary and oldest children’s charity organizations in Houston. 

Entering its 19th year, the Kinder’s 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.

For more information about the game, priority access to tickets and Bowl week experiences, fans can visit https://www.kinderstexasbowl.com/ or follow along on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

 About Kinder’s

Kinder’s is a leading provider of premium quality sauces, seasonings and other products for home cooks to bring restaurant-quality flavors to life in their own kitchens.  Founded in 1946 by John Kinder, a WWII Navy veteran, Kinder’s has been obsessed with crafting amazing flavors that can help anyone, regardless of their skill in the kitchen, make incredible meals that will wow family and friends.  Today, Kinder’s offers a wide range of products including BBQ sauce, wing sauce, premium seasoning blends and rubs, crispy coatings, stuffing, gravy, and more.  Kinder’s is available at leading retailers across all 50 states and is now sold in more than 20 countries across the world. 

For more information, visit www.kinders.com. 

About ESPN Events

ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a portfolio of collegiate sporting events nationwide. In 2024, the 34-event schedule includes four early-season college football kickoff games, 17 college bowl games, 10 college basketball events, the premiere regular season college softball and gymnastics events, as well as the Band of the Year National Championship. Collectively, these events account for over 400 hours of live programming on ESPN platforms, 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. 

Follow ESPN Events on Facebook, X/Twitter and YouTube 

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 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.

Media Contacts

Lone Star Sports & Entertainment: Ryan Galbierz (ryan.galbierz@houstontexans.com; 832-610-0218)

Kinder’s: Navid Niakan (navid@kinders.com)

ESPN Communications: Danny Chi (danny.c.chi@espn.com)

HOUSTON – Lone Star Sports and Entertainment and ESPN Events have announced Kinder’s, a leading provider of premium quality sauces and seasonings, as the new title sponsor of the Texas Bowl.  Kinder’s has devoted over 75 years to crafting award-winning flavors including BBQ and wing sauces as well premium seasonings and rubs.

The 2024 Kinder’s Texas Bowl will be played at 2:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday, December 31, at NRG Stadium, in Houston. The 19th edition of the bowl will be televised nationally on ESPN and simulcast on ESPN+ with national radio coverage on ESPN Radio and a local radio broadcast available on SportsRadio 610 (KILT-AM). This season marks the 11th year of the Big 12 versus SEC matchup in the game.

“We are beyond excited to announce our partnership with the Texas Bowl,” said Kinder’s Co-CEO & Chief Brand Officer Jim Hart. “At Kinder’s we appreciate the kind of obsession it takes for these athletes and coaches to get to this level.  We aspire to the bring that same passion and commitment to everything we make and it is a privilege to be part of providing the stage for them to showcase their incredible talents.  Our sponsorship of the Texas Bowl is part of our broader commitment to college football, which includes our recent partnership with the College Football Playoff to become the Official Sauce and Seasoning of the CFP.  We feel incredibly fortunate to be a small part of this community of talented athletes and coaches and passionate fans.  And we’re fired up for what is sure to be some amazing football!”

“We are thrilled to welcome Kinder’s to our family here in Houston as the title sponsor of the Kinder’s Texas Bowl,” said Lone Star Sports & Entertainment General Manager David Fletcher. “Everything is bigger in Texas, especially the passion for food, family and football, so to have an opportunity to work with a partner like Kinder’s who values each of those to further enhance the experience for fans, teams and our community, it is truly special.  We look forward to tremendous showdown between the Big 12 and SEC out here at NRG Stadium on December 31st in the 2024 Kinder’s Texas Bowl.”

Through the years, the Kinder’s 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 bowls included in the College Football Playoff games. The Bowl has also generated an average of over $30 million annually for the Houston economy and has contributed over $2.5 million in financial support to DePelchin Children’s Center, the Bowl’s official charitable beneficiary and oldest children’s charity organizations in Houston. 

Entering its 19th year, the Kinder’s 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. 

For more information about the game, priority access to tickets and Bowl week experiences, fans can visit https://www.kinderstexasbowl.com/ or follow along on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

HOUSTON – The 2024 Texas Bowl will be played at 2:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday, December 31, at NRG Stadium, the bowl organizing committee announced today. The 19th edition of the bowl will be broadcast nationally on ESPN and simulcasted on ESPN+ with national radio on ESPN Radio and a local radio broadcast available on SportsRadio 610 (KILT-AM). This season marks the 11th year of the Big 12 versus SEC matchup in the game. 

Both the Big 12 and SEC will have a new look to each conference this year with Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah all joining the Big 12 while Oklahoma and Texas move to the SEC. The Big 12 leads the series 6-3 since the Bowl moved to a Big 12 vs. SEC matchup in 2014 including winning the last three games.

In the 2023 Texas Bowl, Oklahoma State claimed a 31-23 victory over Texas A&M. Cowboys WR Rashod Owens earned MVP honors after recording 10 receptions for 164 yards and two touchdowns. The game welcomed 55,212 fans to NRG Stadium and had a total live audience of 3.2 million viewers.

Through the years, the 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 $30 million annually for the Houston economy and has contributed over $2.5 million in financial support to DePelchin Children’s Center, The Bowl’s official charitable beneficiary and oldest children’s charity organizations in Houston.

Entering its 19th year, the 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. 

For more information about the game, priority access to tickets and Bowl week experiences, fans can visit www.thetexasbowl.com or follow along on Facebook, Instagram or 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 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.

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

TaxAct Texas Bowl Surpasses $2.5 Million in Total Giving 

HOUSTON – Today, the TaxAct Texas Bowl, in partnership with the Houston Texans Foundation, announced another record donation of $225,000 to the DePelchin Children's Center, marking the second consecutive year the Bowl has donated $225,000 to the children’s center. Since selecting DePelchin as its charitable beneficiary in 2006, the Bowl has provided over $2.5 million in direct financial support and millions more in promotional support. This is the 12th-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 18 years, our friends at the Bowl have not only provided more than $2.5 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.”

“This year’s record donation exemplifies the strength of the long-term relationship between the TaxAct Texas Bowl and DePelchin Children’s Center,” said TaxAct Texas Bowl Board Chair and President of Doris Engineering, Jim Fairbairn.  “The various programs that DePelchin brings to our community in helping children and their families is a critical service that the TaxAct Texas Bowl strongly supports. We are fortunate to have the exceptional backing of our sponsors, partners, fans, and board members to facilitate this record donation. Seeing the many success stories of the local children and families who benefit from these programs is truly satisfying and encourages us to continue to build on this relationship for years to come.”

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 faces of children from across the Houston-area through so many different ways is one of the most rewarding pieces of our partnership,” said TaxAct Texas Bowl Executive Director David Fletcher. “We appreciate the efforts of past Chair Sarah Frazier, new Chair Jim Fairbairn, our entire Board and all those who have assisted in creating these opportunities through raising funds, creating memorable experiences and supporting such a meaningful cause in DePelchin.”  

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 2024 TaxAct Texas Bowl will mark the events 11th year of affiliation with the Big 12 and the SEC. In the 2023 TaxAct Texas Bowl, Oklahoma State claimed a 31-23 victory over Texas A&M. Cowboys WR Rashod Owens earned MVP honors after hauling in 10 catches for 164 yards and two touchdowns. The game welcomed 55,212 fans to NRG Stadium and had a total live audience of 3.2 million viewers.

About the TaxAct Texas Bowl

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 historically combined to create an economic impact of close to $80 million annually for the city of Houston while raising over $2.5 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.

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.

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/

 

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. 

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.

 

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.

 

 

 

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.