Tom Clements
Sugar Bowl Hall of Fame
Notre Dame
Sugar Bowls: 1973
Inducted: 2026
Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images (Photo Used by Permission)
Tom Clements delivered one of the most memorable passes in Sugar Bowl history – a 35-yard completion from his own end zone on third-and-eight with just over two minutes to go to preserve Notre Dame’s 24-23 victory over top-ranked Alabama and to secure an undefeated season and a national championship for the Fighting Irish. It was one of just seven completions for Clements, who also ran for 74 yards, but it was enough to earn him Most Outstanding Player honors. A Pittsburgh product who also starred in high school basketball (he was offered a scholarship by North Carolina), Clements was a three-year starter for the Irish and was a first-team All-American as a senior in 1974 – he led Notre Dame to another victory over Alabama as well, in the 1975 Orange Bowl, in Ara Parseghian’s final game as the Fighting Irish head coach. He had a 13-year playing career in the CFL, winning a pair of Grey Cup championships (1976, 1984) and was selected as the CFL Most Outstanding Player in 1987 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. While playing in the CFL, Clements earned his law degree from Notre Dame Law School in 1986 and after his retirement, he practiced law for five years in Chicago. However, he returned to football as the quarterbacks coach at his alma mater (1992-95) before establishing himself as a respected offensive coach in the NFL – serving 28 years with six teams. He retired following the 2024 season with the Green Bay Packers. He is also a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
