November 03, 2026 | Football
Inductees to be honored at the 2027 College Football Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential
PASADENA, Calif. (November 2, 2026) – The Tournament of Roses announced today that former Georgia running back Frank Sinkwich, Stanford quarterback Don Bunce, USC receiver Bob Chandler and Cal linebacker Les Richter will be inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame as the Class of 2026.
This year's Rose Bowl Hall of Fame inductees will be honored during the CFP Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential on January 1, 2027.
The Rose Bowl Hall of Fame was established in 1989 to pay tribute to individuals who have contributed to the history and excitement of the Rose Bowl Game, and those who embody the highest level of passion, strength, tradition, and honor associated with The Granddaddy of Them All®.
Frank Sinkwich starred for Georgia from 1940-42, establishing himself as one of the most dynamic players of his era. A two-time unanimous All-American, Sinkwich set rushing and passing records in the SEC and became Georgia's first Heisman Trophy winner in 1942. In his senior season, he led Georgia to an 11-1 record, the SEC championship and a trip to Pasadena for the 1943 Rose Bowl Game. Playing with two sprained ankles, Sinkwich scored Georgia's only touchdown in a 9-0 victory over UCLA, helping the Bulldogs claim their first Rose Bowl Game victory. The following season, Georgia retired his No. 21 jersey. He went on to play for the Detroit Lions, where he earned All-Pro honors twice and was named NFL MVP in 1944. Sinkwich then served in Marines and Air Force before returning to professional football for several years in the late 1940's. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954. Sinkwich died in 1990 at the age of 70.
Don Bunce waited four years to earn the starting quarterback job at Stanford, including three years behind fellow Rose Bowl Hall of Fame inductee Jim Plunkett. But in Bunce's lone season at the helm, he led Stanford to a 9-3 record, the Pac-8 championship and a trip to Pasadena for the 1972 Rose Bowl Game. In The Granddaddy of Them All, Bunce would face off with an undefeated Michigan team. Trailing 12-10 in the final minutes, Bunce led Stanford down the field to set up the game-winning field goal with 12 second remaining. He finished the game 24-of-44 for 290 yards passing and was named Most Valuable Player for his efforts. Bunce went on to play one season of professional football before returning to Stanford to attend Medical School. He earned his medical degree in 1977 and became a successful orthopedic surgeon in Palo Alto, while also serving as the Stanford team doctor from 1982-1992. Bunce died in 2003 at the age of 54.
Bob Chandler was a standout wide receiver for USC from 1968-70, helping the Trojans win a Pac-8 championship and earn two trips to Pasadena. As a senior, Chandler captained the team and led USC in receptions, but it was his performance in the 1970 Rose Bowl Game that cemented his place in Rose Bowl history. Facing a talented Michigan team, Chandler caught three passes for 78 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown from quarterback Jimmy Jones in the third quarter that proved to be the game-winning score in USC's 10-3 victory. Chandler was named Player of the Game. He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round of the 1971 NFL Draft and went on to play 12 seasons with the Bills and Raiders, catching 370 passes for 5,243 yards and 48 touchdowns. He appeared in Super Bowl XV with Oakland and later became a television and radio broadcaster. Chandler died in 1995 at the age of 45 and was posthumously inducted into the USC Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.
Les Richter was one of the most versatile and accomplished players in Cal football history, starring at guard, linebacker and kicker from 1949-51. During his three varsity seasons, Richter helped the Golden Bears to a 27-4-1 record and made two trips to Pasadena. In the 1951 Rose Bowl Game against Michigan, Richter played a key role on both sides of the ball as Cal led 6-0 before the Wolverines rallied for a 14-6 victory. A two-time consensus All-American, Richter was named a team co-captain as a senior and set a Pacific Coast Conference record by making 40 extra points in 1951. He graduated as Cal's valedictorian before serving two years as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Richter was selected No. 2 overall in the 1952 NFL Draft and went on to an eight-time Pro Bowl career with the Rams. Richter was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1982 and posthumously into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. Richter died in 2010 at age 79.
With the addition of this year's class, the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame includes 152 inductees over its 38-year history. Inductees are honored with a permanent plaque that includes their name and year of induction at The Court of Champions at the Rose Bowl Stadium, forever cementing their legacy with that of The Granddaddy of Them All.
About the Pasadena Tournament of Roses®
The Pasadena Tournament of Roses® is a volunteer organization that hosts America's New Year Celebration® with the Rose Parade® presented by Honda, the Rose Bowl Game® presented by Prudential and a variety of accompanying events. The Association's 935 Members supply more than 80,000 volunteer hours, which will drive the success of the 138th Rose Parade, themed "Welcome" on Friday, January 1, 2027, followed by the CFP Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential. Visit www.tournamentofroses.com for more information.
PASADENA, Calif. (November 2, 2026) – The Tournament of Roses announced today that former Georgia running back Frank Sinkwich, Stanford quarterback Don Bunce, USC receiver Bob Chandler and Cal linebacker Les Richter will be inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame as the Class of 2026.
This year's Rose Bowl Hall of Fame inductees will be honored during the CFP Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential on January 1, 2027.
The Rose Bowl Hall of Fame was established in 1989 to pay tribute to individuals who have contributed to the history and excitement of the Rose Bowl Game, and those who embody the highest level of passion, strength, tradition, and honor associated with The Granddaddy of Them All®.
Frank Sinkwich starred for Georgia from 1940-42, establishing himself as one of the most dynamic players of his era. A two-time unanimous All-American, Sinkwich set rushing and passing records in the SEC and became Georgia's first Heisman Trophy winner in 1942. In his senior season, he led Georgia to an 11-1 record, the SEC championship and a trip to Pasadena for the 1943 Rose Bowl Game. Playing with two sprained ankles, Sinkwich scored Georgia's only touchdown in a 9-0 victory over UCLA, helping the Bulldogs claim their first Rose Bowl Game victory. The following season, Georgia retired his No. 21 jersey. He went on to play for the Detroit Lions, where he earned All-Pro honors twice and was named NFL MVP in 1944. Sinkwich then served in Marines and Air Force before returning to professional football for several years in the late 1940's. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954. Sinkwich died in 1990 at the age of 70.
Don Bunce waited four years to earn the starting quarterback job at Stanford, including three years behind fellow Rose Bowl Hall of Fame inductee Jim Plunkett. But in Bunce's lone season at the helm, he led Stanford to a 9-3 record, the Pac-8 championship and a trip to Pasadena for the 1972 Rose Bowl Game. In The Granddaddy of Them All, Bunce would face off with an undefeated Michigan team. Trailing 12-10 in the final minutes, Bunce led Stanford down the field to set up the game-winning field goal with 12 second remaining. He finished the game 24-of-44 for 290 yards passing and was named Most Valuable Player for his efforts. Bunce went on to play one season of professional football before returning to Stanford to attend Medical School. He earned his medical degree in 1977 and became a successful orthopedic surgeon in Palo Alto, while also serving as the Stanford team doctor from 1982-1992. Bunce died in 2003 at the age of 54.
Bob Chandler was a standout wide receiver for USC from 1968-70, helping the Trojans win a Pac-8 championship and earn two trips to Pasadena. As a senior, Chandler captained the team and led USC in receptions, but it was his performance in the 1970 Rose Bowl Game that cemented his place in Rose Bowl history. Facing a talented Michigan team, Chandler caught three passes for 78 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown from quarterback Jimmy Jones in the third quarter that proved to be the game-winning score in USC's 10-3 victory. Chandler was named Player of the Game. He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round of the 1971 NFL Draft and went on to play 12 seasons with the Bills and Raiders, catching 370 passes for 5,243 yards and 48 touchdowns. He appeared in Super Bowl XV with Oakland and later became a television and radio broadcaster. Chandler died in 1995 at the age of 45 and was posthumously inducted into the USC Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.
Les Richter was one of the most versatile and accomplished players in Cal football history, starring at guard, linebacker and kicker from 1949-51. During his three varsity seasons, Richter helped the Golden Bears to a 27-4-1 record and made two trips to Pasadena. In the 1951 Rose Bowl Game against Michigan, Richter played a key role on both sides of the ball as Cal led 6-0 before the Wolverines rallied for a 14-6 victory. A two-time consensus All-American, Richter was named a team co-captain as a senior and set a Pacific Coast Conference record by making 40 extra points in 1951. He graduated as Cal's valedictorian before serving two years as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Richter was selected No. 2 overall in the 1952 NFL Draft and went on to an eight-time Pro Bowl career with the Rams. Richter was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1982 and posthumously into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. Richter died in 2010 at age 79.
With the addition of this year's class, the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame includes 152 inductees over its 38-year history. Inductees are honored with a permanent plaque that includes their name and year of induction at The Court of Champions at the Rose Bowl Stadium, forever cementing their legacy with that of The Granddaddy of Them All.
About the Pasadena Tournament of Roses®
The Pasadena Tournament of Roses® is a volunteer organization that hosts America's New Year Celebration® with the Rose Parade® presented by Honda, the Rose Bowl Game® presented by Prudential and a variety of accompanying events. The Association's 935 Members supply more than 80,000 volunteer hours, which will drive the success of the 138th Rose Parade, themed "Welcome" on Friday, January 1, 2027, followed by the CFP Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential. Visit www.tournamentofroses.com for more information.
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