“Tough Tony” Davis Enters Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame, Cements Dual Bowl Legacy
ARLINGTON, TX – Tony Davis, the hard-nosed former running back who left an indelible mark on college football before a six-season NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has been officially inducted into the prestigious Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame. The enshrinement, which took place on Friday, May 23, 2025, in Arlington, Texas, adds another significant honor to Davis’s remarkable football journey, making him the only player to be enshrined in both the Cotton Bowl and Sugar Bowl Halls of Fame.
Davis, affectionately known as “Tough Tony” during his collegiate days at the University of Nebraska, was a pivotal figure in Coach Tom Osborne’s early teams. He burst onto the scene in 1973, becoming Osborne’s first 1,000-yard rusher, and concluded his Husker career as the program’s all-time leading rusher with over 2,400 yards.
His induction into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame specifically recognizes his MVP performance in Nebraska’s 19-3 victory over Texas in the 1974 Cotton Bowl Classic. In that game, Davis relentlessly pounded the Longhorn defense, rushing for 106 yards on 28 carries and scoring a crucial three-yard touchdown. His gritty effort was instrumental in securing Coach Osborne’s first bowl victory.
This latest accolade follows his 2021 induction into the Sugar Bowl Hall of Fame, where he was also recognized as the MVP for his outstanding play in Nebraska’s 1974 Sugar Bowl win against Florida. Davis led the Huskers to a 13-10 comeback victory, rushing for 126 yards and spearheading a late rally.
After his decorated college career, Davis was a fourth-round pick in the 1976 NFL Draft. He played six seasons in the NFL, three with the Cincinnati Bengals (1976-1978) and three with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1979-1981). In 1977, he was named the Bengals’ team MVP, a testament to his continued impact at the professional level.
Tony Davis’s dual induction into two of college football’s most storied bowl game halls of fame is a rare and fitting tribute to a player whose toughness, determination, and exceptional talent shone brightly on the biggest stages. His legacy as a formidable force in the backfield continues to inspire, solidifying his place among football’s greats.
