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Tommy Nobis, one of the most revered figures in Texas Longhorns football history, was posthumously honored as one of the greatest Longhorns of all time—a fitting tribute to a player whose legacy transcends generations.
Nobis’s impact on Texas football is unparalleled. As the only sophomore starter on the Longhorns’ 1963 national championship team, he played a pivotal role in securing the title, notably contributing to the defense that stifled Navy’s high-powered offense in the Cotton Bowl.
His performance during that game and throughout the season made him a foundational figure in the Longhorns’ national success.His junior year was marked by one of the most iconic moments in Texas football history—a goal-line stand against Alabama’s Joe Namath in the 1965 Orange Bowl. Nobis delivered a crushing hit that preserved a 21–17 victory.
That play, often replayed in highlight reels and remembered by fans decades later, helped cement his legacy as one of the most dominant defensive players of his era.Throughout his collegiate career, Nobis earned numerous accolades. He was a two-time All-American and a three-time All-Southwest Conference selection.
In 1965, his senior year, he won the Outland Trophy as the nation’s best interior lineman and the Maxwell Award, presented to the top college football player in the country. He also received the Knute Rockne Award for best lineman. Despite suffering a knee injury that season, Nobis finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting—a remarkable achievement for a primarily defensive player, which underscored his immense value to the team.Nobis’s dominance in college carried over into professional football.
In the 1966 NFL Draft, he was selected first overall by the Atlanta Falcons, making him the franchise’s first-ever player. He made an immediate impact, earning NFL Rookie of the Year honors. In his debut season, Nobis unofficially recorded 294 tackles—still considered one of the most impressive single-season performances in league history.Over the course of his 11-year NFL career, all spent with the Falcons, Nobis was selected to five Pro Bowls and was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 1960s. Despite his impressive resume, he has yet to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a point of contention for fans and sports historians who argue his contributions merit that honor.At the University of Texas, Nobis’s legacy is firmly enshrined.
His No. 60 jersey was retired by the Longhorns—an honor reserved for only the most elite athletes in program history. His leadership, toughness, and humility made him a role model for generations of Texas players.In 2017, just days after his passing, the Longhorns paid tribute to Nobis during the Texas Bowl by having linebacker Breckyn Hager wear the No. 60 jersey in his honor. The gesture symbolized the deep respect and admiration the program holds for Nobis and his contributions both on and off the field.Now, with his posthumous recognition as one of the greatest Longhorns of all time, Tommy Nobis’s name is once again elevated in the pantheon of Texas football legends. This honor reflects not only his extraordinary accomplishments but also the enduring legacy he left behind—a legacy of excellence, grit, and unshakable commitment to the game.For the University of Texas and the world of college football, Tommy Nobis remains more than a legendary linebacker. He stands as a timeless symbol of what it means to be a Longhorn.
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