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Tommy Nobis: The definition of Texas Football

By James Caldwell

BOULDER, CO - OCTOBER 04: A helmet of the Texas Longhorns lies on the field as the team warms up prior to facing the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on October 4, 2008 in Boulder, Colorado. Texas defeated Colorado 38-14. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
BOULDER, CO - OCTOBER 04: A helmet of the Texas Longhorns lies on the field as the team warms up prior to facing the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on October 4, 2008 in Boulder, Colorado. Texas defeated Colorado 38-14. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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If you had to select one player who personified Texas Football, it would be linebacker Tommy Nobis.

Tough, rugged, physical, punishing, consistent, leader, larger than life, and a champion. That’s Tommy Nobis.

Sadly, Tommy Nobis died on Wednesday (December 13) at the age of 74.

Nobis was part of the first-ever National Champion Texas Longhorns football team, helping lead the 1963 team to a National Title victory over Navy in the Cotton Bowl.

Nobis went on to have one of the most successful seasons ever for a Longhorns player. Following the 1965 season, Nobis was named the winner of these awards:

  • Outland Trophy
  • Maxwell Award
  • Knute Rockne Memorial Tropy
  • All-American (consensus)
  • Plus, #7 in the Heisman voting

Nobis’ larger than life persona also landed him on the covers of major magazines such as Sports Illustrated, TIME, and LIFE.

Tommy Nobis Remembered by Derrick Johnson

Tommy Nobis’ famous No. 60 jersey resurfaced four decades later when legendary Longhorns linebacker Derrick Johnson honored Nobis by wearing his number in his final home game in 2004.

It was fitting because Johnson personified that rugged, physical, aggressive style of Texas Football from the LB position. This led to him winning the Butkus and Nagurski awards in his senior season.

That same spirit lives in Malik Jefferson, the current leader of the Texas linebacking crew. Jefferson offered his thoughts on Twitter following Nobis’ death.

Outpouring of Thoughts Remembering Tommy Nobis

Mike Perrin was the interim Texas Athletics Director during the final stages of Nobis’ life. Perrin, who played with Nobis in the 1960s, commented on Wednesday (via TexasSports.com).

“Tommy Nobis was an icon not just at The University of Texas, but in all of college football. More than that to me, though, he was a friend. He was a real treasure who personified greatness as a player and a human being. The Longhorn family celebrates his life well lived, even as we grieve his passing,” said Perrin.

Former Texas Football coach Mack Brown and current coach Tom Herman also commented on Tommy Nobis.

“We lost a great Longhorn in Tommy Nobis. When you’re one of the six numbers retired in the long, proud history of Texas Football, your legacy is something special. Coach Royal told me many times that Tommy was one of the best players he had ever coached or seen. He was as physically dominant of a linebacker as the game will ever have. I was so lucky to get to know him and he was truly as special of a person as he was a player. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. He will be missed,” said Mack Brown via TexasSports.com.

“”It’s a sad day with the passing of Tommy Nobis. His accomplishments, memories and legacy are a huge part of our program. He was a National Champion, National Player of the Year, an NFL All-Pro and one of the best linebackers to ever strap on a helmet. The conversation of the greatest players in Texas Football history will always include his name. He is a true Longhorn Legend. His family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” said Tom Herman via TexasSports.com.

Next: Top 15 Texas QBs all-time

If the Longhorns were to create a logo like the NBA silhouette logo featuring Jerry West, you would likely use Tommy Nobis. He is Texas Longhorns Football.

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