April 13, 2007
AT&T Inc. and the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association announced today that Dat Nguyen, a former Aggie All-American and Lombardi Award winning linebacker is one of six individuals that will be inducted into the AT&T Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame during enshrinement ceremonies on Tuesday, April 17. From 1995 to 1998, Nguyen set Texas A&M school records with 517 career tackles and by starting 51 consecutive games. He also stands as the only Aggie in school history to lead the team in tackles every year of his career.
In the 1998 Cotton Bowl Classic against #5 UCLA, Nguyen lived up to his reputation of rising to the occasion against top competition as he notched 20 tackles including 15 solo stops. The 15 solo tackles set a Cotton Bowl record. Included in the 20 tackles were seven tackles for a loss of 20 yards. In the first quarter against the Bruins, Nguyen intercepted a Cade McNown pass and after returning it 19 yards pitched it to teammate Brandon Jennings who returned it another 64 yards for a touchdown.
Joining Nguyen in the class of 2007 will be Oklahoma A&M tailback Bob Fenimore, USC wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, Texas offensive tackle Jerry Sisemore, former Notre Dame head coach Ara Parseghian and long-time Cotton Bowl Athletic Association photographer Brad Bradley. The six inductees were selected out of 52 original nominees by a 35-member voting panel composed of media representatives and athletic administrators. Voting is based only on performance in or contributions to the Cotton Bowl Classic and not a player?â„¢s overall collegiate or professional career.
Nguyen joins Aggie legends Johnny Holland, John Kimbrough and Gene Stallings in the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic Hall of Fame.
The 2007 AT&T Cotton Bowl Induction Ceremony will be held Tuesday, April 17, at Cotton Bowl Plaza in Fair Park. The induction ceremony is free and open to the public.