Dec. 14, 2000
Clemson, SC – Clemson Sports Information Director Emeritus Bob Bradley will be inducted into the Toyota Gator Bowl Hall of Fame posthumously on December 31. Bradley will be inducted along with current Penn State Coach Joe Paterno and former Missouri quarterback Terry McMillan. The cermony will take place during the Gator Bowl Hall of Fame Luncheon, which will take place at noon December 31, 2000 at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center in Jacksonville.
Bradley served Clemson for 45 years in the sports information profession until his death on October 30, 2000. The Clemson legend battled bone cancer for three years prior to his death.
Bradley contributed greatly to the success of all seven Gator Bowls that he worked, working many hours to promote the game. Bradley will join former Clemson coaches Frank Howard and Danny Ford, as well as former Clemson player Bobby Gage in the Gator Bowl Hall of Fame.
Clemson’s SID from 1955-89 worked all seven of Clemson’s previous Gator Bowl appearances in some capacity. No one has worked more Gator Bowls in an official capacity than Bradley. His affiliation with the bowl dates to the 1948 season when he covered the event for The Tiger, Clemson’s student newspaper. Bradley worked for the Greenville News when Clemson participated in the 1951 event, and served as Clemson’s SID or SID emeritus for Clemson’s appearances after the 1977, 1978, 1986, 1989 and 1995 seasons.
Bradley attend his 500th consecutive Clemson football game on Saturday, September 30, 2000 at Wallace Wade Stadium when Clemson met Duke at Wallace Wade Stadium. Bradley’s streak started on October 20, 1955 when he was in just his third week as Clemson SID.
The streak lasted for 502 consecutive games with his final game coming on October 14, 2000 when Clemson defeated Maryland in Death Valley on Homecoming. He was stricken with pneumonia and missed the October 21 game against North Carolina and the October 28 contest against Georgia Tech. He died the Monday following the Georgia Tech game.
Bradley was inducted into the Clemson Hall of Fame and honred by the South Carolina Hall of Fame during his distinguished career. He was named the College Sports Information Directors of America Man of the Year in 1976, the same year he was president of the organization. He was presented with the Order of the Palmetto, for his contributions to the state of South Carolina, on October 28, 2000, two days prior to his death. That is the highest honor a resident of the state of South Carolina can receive.
Mrs. Louis Bradley, his widow, his son Robert Bradley, and his granddaughter Samantha will be in Jacksonville to accept the Hall of Fame award from the Gator Bowl.
April 17, 2024
