NORMAN — Former University of Oklahoma defensive back Bud Hebert was announced as a 2023 Orange Bowl Hall of Fame inductee on Wednesday. He is joined in the class by former Penn State quarterback Chuck Burkhart and former Arkansas running back Ronald Sales.
Hebert was named MVP of the 1980 Orange Bowl after recording three interceptions and three tackles, holding an undefeated Florida State team to just 182 yards of total offense in Oklahoma's 24-7 victory. He was a key member of Barry Switzer's stifling defense that helped the Sooners go 11-1 that season and finish No. 3 in the AP Poll. Hebert's three interceptions still stand as the Orange Bowl record and are tied for the most in any OU game. No other Sooner has registered three interceptions in a bowl contest.
Hebert, who is also well-known for serving as the holder on Uwe von Schamann's famous 1977 field goal in the waning seconds that gave OU a 29-28 win at No. 4 Ohio State, finished his Sooner career with six interceptions (four in bowl games), a blocked a punt that resulted in a safety and a blocked field goal attempt that resulted in a touchdown. At OU from 1975-79, his teams went 52-7-1, won five Big Eight Conference titles and the 1975 national championship. Hebert, who grew up in Beaumont, Texas, also lettered in baseball at OU in 1979 and 1980.
He was selected in the seventh round of the 1980 NFL Draft by the New York Giants and played in 10 games that year (made six starts). The free safety recorded an interception and a fumble recovery in his lone season.
Hebert is one of 16 former Sooners to be inducted into the Orange Bowl Hall of Fame, joining head coach Bud Wilkinson (class of 1978), receiver Tommy McDonald (1981), defensive lineman Lee Roy Selmon (1983), running back Prentice Gautt (1986), Switzer (1987), running back Billy Sims (1988), quarterback J.C. Watts (1991), running back Steve Owens (1992), tight end Keith Jackson (1999), quarterback Steve Davis (2007), running back Spencer Tillman (2011), linebacker Torrance Marshall (2012), defensive lineman Reggie Kinlaw (2015), head coach Bob Stoops (2018) and defensive lineman Dewey Selmon (2022).
Hebert and the other 2023 inductees will be honored at the annual Orange Bowl Coaches Luncheon on Dec. 29 in Miami and will be featured in an on-field ceremony at the 2023 Capital One Orange Bowl on Dec. 30 at Hard Rock Stadium.