October 13, 2025

Football

Kinder's Texas Bowl Gridiron Legends Class of 2025 Announced

The honorees will be inducted into the Gridiron Legends at a special pregame ceremony during the Texas Bowl game at NRG Stadium on Dec. 27.

HOUSTON – The Kinder’s Texas Bowl Committee has selected the 2025 class of Gridiron Legends inductees, the committee announced today. The honorees will be inducted into the Gridiron Legends at a special pregame ceremony during the Texas Bowl game at NRG Stadium on Dec. 27.
 
The 2025 class features electrifying dual-threat quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, former Texas A&M All-American and Houston Texans offensive lineman Steve McKinney, Nebraska All-American and longtime NFL linebacker Broderick Thomas, College Football Hall of Famer and three-time Super Bowl champion Kevin Smith, Houston sports broadcasting legend Ralph Cooper and veteran Houston high school football coach and athletic director Chris Massey.
 
The Gridiron Legends have each made significant contributions to the game of football in the state of Texas at the high school, collegiate or professional level. The 2025 class joins 100 other Gridiron Legends who have been inducted since the Bowl’s inception in 2006, including Texas greats Earl Campbell, Eric Dickerson, Joe Greene, Andre Ware, John Randle, Jim Nantz, John David Crow, Andre Johnson, Bruce Matthews and Dave Campbell among others.
 
Robert Griffin III
Robert Griffin III, known to fans as RG3, was one of the most electrifying dual-threat quarterbacks in modern football history. Born in Copperas Cove, Texas, Griffin excelled both on the football field and in track and field at Copperas Cove High School. His athletic achievements in both sports made him one of the most sought after recruits in the country, ultimately choosing to continue his career at Baylor. Over his four-year college career with Baylor (2008-2011), Griffin completed 800-of-1192 (67.1%) passes for 10,366 yards and 78 touchdowns while rushing for 2,254 yards on 528 attempts (4.3 avg.) and 33 touchdowns. His crowning achievement came during the 2011 season, when he led Baylor to a 10-3 record, capped by a thrilling Alamo Bowl victory, the school’s first bowl win in nearly 20 years. Griffin’s campaign earned him the Heisman Trophy, making him the first player in Baylor history to win college football’s most prestigious award. Griffin’s college success led to him being selected second overall by the Washington Redskins in the 2012 NFL Draft. He led Washington to a 10-6 record in his rookie season, throwing for 3,200 yards, 20 touchdowns and just five interceptions, while rushing for 815 yards and seven touchdowns earning him NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and a Pro Bowl selection. Over his NFL career, Griffin III amassed more than 9,200 passing yards and 43 touchdowns as well as over 1,800 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Following his playing career, Griffin transitioned into broadcasting as he joined ESPN in 2021 as a college and NFL analyst. Now, Griffin works for FOX Sports as part of its college football coverage team. Griffin’s legacy extends beyond statistics. He changed the perception of what a quarterback could be. Additionally, his Heisman-winning season helped elevate Baylor into national prominence, laying the foundation for the program’s future success. In recognition of his impact, Griffin was inducted into the Baylor Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022 and was placed on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot in 2025.

Steve McKinney
Born in Galveston, Texas, Steve McKinney found success in the trenches from the moment he first put on pads. The former fourth-round NFL Draft pick was an All-District 23-2A football and basketball player before choosing to focus on football as a senior. In his final year at Clear Lake High School, McKinney earned first-team All-District honors as both a tight end and defensive end and was named the 24-5A District Co-MVP. He continued his career at Texas A&M, where he gradually developed into one of the Aggies’ most dependable offensive linemen. After limited action early in his career, McKinney earned a starting role at left guard late in his sophomore season and never relinquished it. Over his final two years, he was a two-time first-team All-Big 12 selection, anchoring an offense that averaged 205.4 rushing yards per game. In 2015, McKinney was named to the Texas A&M Top 100 Football Players of All Time list. Following his college career, he was selected 93rd overall by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1998 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he started all 16 games at left guard, becoming one of only four rookie offensive linemen in the league to start every game at the position, and was the fourth guard in Colts history to earn all-rookie honors. In 2002, McKinney made history as the first unrestricted free agent to sign with the Houston Texans, starting every game from 2002–05. He later spent time with the Miami Dolphins and Seattle Seahawks before retiring in 2008. Since hanging up his cleats, McKinney has transitioned into business, founding and growing McKinney Restaurant Management Inc., which operates 26 McDonald’s locations across southeast Texas.
 
Broderick Thomas
A Houston native, Broderick Thomas graduated from Madison High School in 1985 as an All-Area, All-State and All-American defensive end. Thomas accepted a scholarship to play linebacker at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln despite never having played the position, and by his sophomore season, he was a starter and one of the top players on the nation’s second-ranked defense. Over four seasons at Nebraska (1985–88), he totaled 242 tackles (143 solo), 39 tackles for loss, 22.5 sacks, 11 passes defensed, eight fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and one interception. Thomas earned three consecutive first-team All-Big Eight honors (1986–88) and was named a first-team All-American in 1987. In his final season, he helped lead the Cornhuskers to a Big Eight Championship and an Orange Bowl berth while earning 1988 Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year and Consensus All-American honors. His collegiate success later earned him a place on the Nebraska All-Century Team. Thomas was selected in the first round (sixth overall) of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he spent five seasons. As a rookie, he recorded 27 tackles, 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble as a backup linebacker before becoming a starter in 1990. Over 64 games (55 starts) with Tampa Bay, Thomas tallied 434 tackles, 10 forced fumbles—leading the league with seven in 1991—eight fumble recoveries and two interceptions for 81 yards and a touchdown. He went on to play for the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings from 1994–95, leading the Lions in sacks (7.0) and ranking second on the team with 86 tackles during his time in Minnesota. Thomas finished his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys, returning to defensive end for the first time since high school, and appeared in 32 games (nine starts) with 76 tackles (61 solo), 8.0 sacks and a fumble recovery. Upon retirement, he held an active streak of 144 consecutive games played.
 
Kevin Smith
College Football Hall of Famer and three-time Super Bowl champion Kevin Smith grew up in Orange, Texas, and spent his entire football career in his home state. He attended West Orange-Stark High School, where he lettered in football, baseball, basketball and track and field. A standout two-way player, Smith intercepted 12 passes and caught nine touchdown receptions while helping lead his team to back-to-back 4A state championships in 1986 and 1987. Though his offensive skills drew interest from programs such as LSU and the University of Houston, Smith chose to play cornerback at Texas A&M, staying true to his defensive roots. Over four seasons in College Station, he became one of the most decorated players in program history, earning three first-team All-Southwest Conference selections and Consensus All-American honors in 1991. As a senior, he was named the nation’s top defensive back and was a semifinalist for both the Defensive Player of the Year and Thorpe Award. Smith still holds the school records for career interceptions (20), interception return yards (289) and interceptions returned for touchdowns (three), while his 32 passes defensed rank among the top five in program history. His collegiate success led to his induction into the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997. Smith was selected in the first round (17th overall) of the 1992 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, where he played all eight seasons of his professional career. He appeared in 103 games (93 starts), recording 361 tackles (334 solo), 19 interceptions for 190 yards and a touchdown, seven passes defensed, eight forced fumbles and one fumble recovery for 14 yards. Smith retired as a three-time Super Bowl champion (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX) and a second-team All-Pro in 1996. On Dec. 11, 2024, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, becoming the 12th player in Texas A&M history to receive the honor.
 
Ralph Cooper
Ralph Cooper, a Houston sports broadcasting legend, whose voice has resonated across radio, television and print media for more than 50 years. Born in Jewett, Texas, and raised in Houston’s Sunnyside community, he attended Worthing High School before continuing his education at South Texas Junior College, the University of Houston-Downtown and Houston Community College. Cooper’s radio journey began in 1969 at KYOK (1590 AM), and in 1971, he officially launched his broadcast career with the station under program director Rick Roberts. In 1984, he joined KCOH (then 1430 AM, now 1230 AM), where he continues to host his long-running evening show, Sports Rap. Over his distinguished career, Cooper has interviewed some of the biggest names in sports, including Muhammad Ali, Hank Aaron, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, George Foreman, Satchel Paige, Willie Mays and Clyde Drexler. Equally known for his commitment to the local sports scene, he has long covered Houston’s professional, collegiate and high school athletics while mentoring young athletes through his “Stars of the Future” program. Among his most memorable career moments were covering the 1975 death of Astros pitcher Don Wilson and the 1980 stroke suffered by Astros pitcher J.R. Richard, which ended Richard’s career. Beyond radio, Cooper’s influence extended into print and television as editor of the Houston Defender from 1988 to 2018 and as a sports commentator on Channel 13’s Tell It Like It Is alongside Bob Allen from 1992 to 2015. His career achievements have earned him multiple honors, including recognition from the Houston Association of Black Journalists in 2010 and induction into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2020. Despite early-career barriers, Cooper remains a pillar of Houston sports media and continues to inspire the next generation of broadcasters and athletes.
 
Chris Massey
Chris Massey, a veteran Texas high school football coach who has served as the head coach and assistant athletic director at Deer Park High School since 2004. Raised in the Aldine area, he graduated from Aldine High School in 1975, following in the footsteps of his father, who was also a coach. From an early age, Massey was drawn to football, often walking from his school to the high school field house to watch practices—an experience that sparked a lifelong passion for the game. After high school, he attended Texas A&M, where he began his coaching journey as a student assistant, handling scouting duties and assisting with practice drills. His first full-time coaching position came at Cy-Fair High School, where he spent six years working with the offensive line, running backs and quarterbacks. Massey returned to Texas A&M in 1986–87 as a graduate assistant, earning his master’s degree before taking on roles at the University of Florida and Conroe High School. His reputation as a coach continued to grow during his eight-year tenure at Katy High School, where he served as offensive coordinator and helped guide the program to three state championships. In 2004, Massey accepted the head coaching position at Deer Park High School, where he also took on administrative duties as assistant athletic director, overseeing multiple sports programs, assisting in coaching hires and managing playoff logistics. At Deer Park, he established a unified system centered on character, discipline and consistency, emphasizing that success is built not only on game nights but through preparation, training and growth throughout the week and offseason. Massey was twice named Houston Texans High School Coach of the Week, in 2007 and again in 2015, the latter recognition accompanied by a $2,500 donation to Deer Park’s booster club. Beyond the sidelines, he has served on the board of the Texas High School Coaches Association and played an active role in the Bayou Bowl. In 2013, Massey was inducted into the Greater Houston Football Coaches Association Hall of Honor, joining his father, Barton Massey, as the only father-son duo ever to receive the distinction. Throughout his career, Chris Massey has exemplified leadership and mentorship, dedicating his life to developing not only skilled athletes but young men of character, perseverance and responsibility.
 
For tickets and more information regarding the 2025 Kinder’s Texas Bowl featuring the Big 12 versus the SEC, visit https://www.kinderstexasbowl.com