Bob Chandler Joins Rose Bowl Hall of Fame
The former USC receiver and NFL player is among four inductees in the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame's Class of 2026.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Football
The Rose Bowl Hall of Fame announced Bob Chandler as a member of its Class of 2026, bringing its total to 152 inductees. Chandler caught the winning touchdown in USC's 10-3 victory over Michigan in the 1970 Rose Bowl.
Why it matters
The induction recognizes a former Rose Bowl standout whose career spanned college football, the NFL and broadcasting. It also adds to the historic record of the game that is central to Pasadena's sporting identity.
Chandler recorded 78 receiving yards and the winning touchdown in USC's 10-3 win over Michigan in the 1970 Rose Bowl. His 12-season NFL career with the Bills and Raiders produced 370 receptions, 5,243 yards and 48 touchdowns.
The players
Bob Chandler
A former USC receiver who played 12 NFL seasons and later worked as an NBC NFL color analyst, Chandler was also a founder of the Bob Chandler Foundation, created in 1996 to memorialize people fighting cancer.
Rose Bowl Hall of Fame
The Pasadena-based institution honors players, coaches and contributors connected to the Rose Bowl Game and has inducted 152 members to date.
The details
Chandler played for USC from 1968 to 1970 before being drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1971. He later appeared in Super Bowl XV with Oakland and became a color analyst for NBC NFL broadcasts in 1983.
Timeline
1970: USC defeats Michigan 10-3 in the Rose Bowl, with Chandler scoring the winning touchdown.
1971: Chandler is drafted by the Buffalo Bills.
Jan. 27, 1995: Chandler dies at age 45 after a battle with lung cancer.
Jan. 1: The Class of 2026 will be honored during the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game.
Season Trajectory
The 1970 Rose Bowl win remains one of USC's notable postseason moments, and Chandler's induction ties that game to the modern College Football Playoff schedule. The honor will be presented during a CFP Quarterfinal held at the same Rose Bowl stadium.
Fans attending the Jan. 1 CFP Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game will see the Class of 2026 recognized during the event. The honor adds a historical moment to a game already drawing postseason attention.
The takeaway
Chandler's career shows how a single game can shape a player's legacy across college, professional and broadcast football. His induction ensures the 1970 Rose Bowl remains part of the game's recorded history.
What happens next
The Class of 2026 will be honored during the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game on Jan. 1.
Further reading
Explore more Football coverage tied to the Rose Bowl's storied history.
Source note: This article includes information reported by My News LA.
