If you had to select one player who personified Texas Football, it would be linebacker Tommy Nobis.
Tough, rugged, physical, punishing, consistent, leader, larger than life, and a champion. That’s Tommy Nobis.
Sadly, Tommy Nobis died on Wednesday (December 13) at the age of 74.
Nobis was part of the first-ever National Champion Texas Longhorns football team, helping lead the 1963 team to a National Title victory over Navy in the Cotton Bowl.
Nobis went on to have one of the most successful seasons ever for a Longhorns player. Following the 1965 season, Nobis was named the winner of these awards:
- Outland Trophy
- Maxwell Award
- Knute Rockne Memorial Tropy
- All-American (consensus)
- Plus, #7 in the Heisman voting
Nobis’ larger than life persona also landed him on the covers of major magazines such as Sports Illustrated, TIME, and LIFE.