PASADENA (CNS) — Legendary USC running back Anthony Davis, former Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany and Michigan All-American linebacker Ron Simpkins were inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame Thursday.
The trio were inducted during a ceremony and luncheon outside the Rose Bowl stadium, two days before the 108th Rose Bowl Game.
With the three-member Class of 2021, the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame has 136 inductees, who are recognized with plaques in the stadium's Court of Champions at the stadium. The latest inductees will also be recognized in Saturday's Rose Parade and on the field during the Rose Bowl Game.
Davis helped lead the Trojans to three Rose Bowl Games — including victories in the 1973 and 1975 games — and two national championships during his three seasons. In his three Rose Bowl appearances, he totaled 342 all- purpose yards and three scores. He played professionally for six seasons.
Delany served as commissioner of the Big Ten Conference from 1989 to 2020, helping spearhead the creation of the Big Ten Network, the development of the college football replay system and the creation of the Bowl Championship Series and College Football Playoff. He was also an outspoken advocate for gender equity in college sports.
Simpkins played with Michigan in three consecutive Rose Bowl Games from 1977-79, making a then-record 16 tackles during a loss to Washington in the 1978 game. The linebacker made 12 tackles in a 1979 loss to USC. He played seven seasons in the NFL, all but the last with the Cincinnati Bengals.