Orange Bowl Announces 2026 Hall of Fame Class
MIAMI LAKES, Fla. (September 8, 2026) – Former University of Oklahoma defensive back Sonny Brown, past University of Miami defensive back Kenny Calhoun, and former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck have been announced as the 2026 inductees to the Orange Bowl Hall of Fame presented by AutoNation.
The 2026 Hall of Fame class will join an existing roster of 142 honorees who have made a significant impact on the Orange Bowl since its inception in 1935.
The three legends will be honored in an on-field ceremony at the 2027 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on January 14, 2027, at Hard Rock Stadium.
Sonny Brown was a key force on Oklahoma’s defense with five interceptions in three consecutive Orange Bowl appearances, including the 25-10 win over Penn State on Jan. 1, 1986, that delivered Oklahoma its sixth national championship. The following year he recorded two tackles and two interceptions in a dominant 42-8 victory over Arkansas. He collected six tackles and an interception in his first Orange Bowl appearance in 1985 against Washington. His appearances and statistics place him as a cornerstone of Oklahoma’s prestigious history at the Orange Bowl.
Kenny Calhoun delivered one of the most iconic plays in Orange Bowl history in 1984. Calhoun recorded 10 tackles and broke Nebraska’s two-point conversion attempt with 48 seconds remaining, earning Miami a 31-30 victory. Nebraska entered the game undefeated and heavily favored, but Calhoun and the Hurricanes upset highlighted the 50th edition of the Orange Bowl. Calhoun’s signature deflection capped an 11-1 season with the program’s first national title and signaled the Hurricanes rise in the 1980s. His effort remains a key piece of college football history.
Andrew Luck earned MVP honors in the 2011 Orange Bowl by throwing 287 yards and four touchdowns, leading Stanford to its first ever BCS win. Luck completed 18 of 23 pass attempts setting a then-Orange Bowl record of a 78.3 percent completion percentage. Luck’s three second half touchdowns led Stanford to a dominant 40-12 victory over Virginia Tech. He was selected No. 1 overall in the 2012 NFL Draft, set an NFL record for most passing yards in a season by a rookie, made four Pro Bowls, won NFL Comeback Player of the Year and entered the College Football Hall of Fame in 2022.
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About the Orange Bowl
Orange Bowl is a primarily volunteer, non-profit sports organization that promotes and serves the South Florida community. Since 1935, its mission has been to bring tourism and economic impact to the region through an annual football game and supporting events, alongside community outreach embodied by the four pillars of Orange Bowl Cares: Youth Sports, Education, Community Engagement, and Legacy Programs. Orange Bowl’s year-round schedule of events culminates with the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on Jan. 14, 2027. For more information on Orange Bowl events, including promotional inquiries and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program, visit orangebowl.org or follow @OrangeBowl on social media.
About AutoNation, Inc.
AutoNation, one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offers innovative products and exceptional services as part of a portfolio of comprehensive solutions for our customers and their automotive needs. With a nationwide network of dealerships strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and expert maintenance and repair services. Through DRV PNK, we have raised over $50 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our Associates, Customers, and the communities we serve.
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