The East-West Shrine Bowl Hall of Fame is home to some of the greatest names ever to play the game. Each year, past players are selected to join this elite club. Candidates must have played in the East-West Shrine Bowl and have accomplished something significant in their career.
As a part of the festivities surrounding the 99th East-West Shrine Bowl, Steve Smith Sr. and Steve Sarkisian was inducted into the East-West Shrine Bowl Hall of Fame during the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl at Ford Center at The Star.
Smith is a former wide receiver who played two seasons at the University of Utah before a long, successful career in the NFL. An all-conference selection in both seasons with the Utes, Smith caught 78 passes for 1,603 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also returned four punts for touchdowns in his college career Smith was drafted in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers.
Smith played 16 seasons in the NFL, 13 of those with the Panthers, and finished his career as Carolina’s all-time franchise leader in career receiving yards (12,197), receiving touchdowns (67), total touchdowns (75), scrimmage yards (12,584), all-purpose yards (16,614), and 100-yard receiving games (43). The five-time Pro Bowler also spent three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens and is currently eighth all-time in NFL history in total receiving yards (14,731).
Smith caught two touchdown passes and was named offensive MVP in the 76th East-West Shrine Bowl in 2001 after leading the West to a 20-10 win in San Francisco.
Steve Sarkisian is a former quarterback, playing two seasons at Brigham Young University and two seasons professionally in the Canadian Football League. Sarkisian became one of the most prolific passers in BYU history during his two seasons in Provo. While at BYU, Sarkisian threw for nearly 7,500 yards and 53 touchdowns. As a senior in 1996, he led the nation in passing efficiency (173.6, then the fourth-best mark ever) as the Cougars went 14-1, won the conference championship, and won the 1997 Cotton Bowl. He was the WAC Offensive Player of the Year in 1996. Sarkisian’s performance helped lead the Cougars to become the first team in NCAA history to win 14 games in a single season.
Sarkisian first became a head coach in 2009 at the University of Washington. He led the Huskies for five seasons before heading to the University of Southern California for two seasons. Sarkisian has been the head coach at the University of Texas since 2021, leading the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff in 2023. In 10 seasons, Sarkisian has amassed a record of 71-49 with six bowl game appearances.
| Year | Name | School | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Nate Burleson | Nevada | WR |
| 2020 | Will Shields | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | OG |
| 2020 | Dan Pastorini | Santa Clara University | QB |
| 2019 | Troy Vincent Sr. | University of Wisconsin | CB |
| 2019 | Barry Smith | Florida State University | WR |
| 2018 | Brett Favre | University of Southern Mississippi | QB |
| 2018 | Gary Huff | Florida State University | QB |
| 2017 | Robert Porcher III | South Carolina State | DL |
| 2017 | Mark Rypien | Washington State | QB |
| 2016 | Rickey Jackson | University of Pittsburgh | LB |
| 2016 | Chris Chandler | University of Washington | QB |
| 2015 | Tommie Frazier | University of Nebraska | QB |
| 2015 | Jim Hanifan | University of California | TE |
| 2014 | Tony Berti | University of Colorado | OT |
| 2014 | Steve Atwater | University of Arkansas | DB |
| 2013 | Buddy Curry | University of NC | LB |
| 2013 | Steve Bartkowski | UC Berkeley | QB |
| 2012 | Martín Gramática | Kansas State | K |
| 2012 | Joey Harrington | University of Oregon | QB |
| 2011 | Buck Belue | University of Georgia | DB |
| 2011 | Tom Flick | University of Washington | QB |
| 2010 | Larry Csonka | Syracuse University | B |
| 2010 | Kellen Winslow | University of Missouri | TE |
| 2009 | Jerry Kramer | University of Idaho | G |
| 2009 | Charles aylor | Arizona State | B |
| 2009 | Brad Van Pelt | Michigan State | S |
| 2009 | Doug Williams | Grambling State | QB |
| 2008 | Dave Butz | Purdue | DT |
| 2008 | Carl Eller | University of Minnesota | T |
| 2008 | Forrest Gregg | Southern Methodist | T |
| 2008 | E.J. Holub | Texas Tech | C |
| 2008 | Leonard Moore | Penn State | B |
| 2008 | Larry Wilson | University of Utah | B |
| 2007 | Joe DeLamielleure | Michigan State | OT |
| 2007 | Gale Sayers | University of Kansas | B |
| 2007 | Paul Warfield | Ohio State | B |
| 2007 | Randy White | University of Maryland | DT |
| 2006 | Raymond Berry | Southern Methodist | E |
| 2006 | Joe Greene | University of North Texas | DT |
| 2006 | Mike Haynes | Arizona State | DB |
| 2006 | Bob Lilly | Texas Christian | T |
| 2005 | Pat Tillman | Arizona State | OLB |
| 2004 | Chris Burford | Stanford | E |
| 2004 | Mike Garrett | USC | B |
| 2004 | Gino Marchetti | University of San Francisco | G |
| 2004 | Tom Matte | Ohio State | B |
| 2004 | Ed White | UC Berkeley | DT |
| 2003 | Hugh McElhenny | University of Washington | B |
| 2003 | Craig Morton | UC Berkeley | QB |
| 2003 | Merlin Olsen | Utah State | T |
| 2003 | Alan C. Page | Notre Dame | DE |
| 2003 | Leslie Richter | UC Berkeley | G |
| 2003 | Gene Washington | Stanford | HB |
| 2002 | Dick Butkus | University of Illinois | C |
| 2002 | Gerald Ford | University of Michigan | C |
| 2002 | Edward LeBaron | University of the Pacific | B |
| 2002 | Ollie Matson | University of San Francisco | B |
| 2002 | Volney Peters | USC | T |
| 2002 | Richard (Dick) Stanfel | University of San Francisco | G |
