Independence Bowl to Reveal Top 50 Players in the Game’s History Beginning on July 6

SHREVEPORT, La. (July 1, 2026) – With such a long and rich history, there may be no better way to celebrate 50 years of Independence Bowl than to celebrate the stars who have come through Independence Stadium throughout the first 49 years of the game and helped fans create the memories they still talk about.

The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl will begin revealing the top 50 players in the game’s history on July 6, counting down from 50 until revealing the number one player in the history of college football’s 11th-oldest bowl game.

Selection & Ranking Criteria

The list of the top 50 all-time players was compiled by a committee that included local media members and Independence Bowl representatives. Players were nominated and evaluated based on the following criteria:

• 40 percent weight based on their Independence Bowl performance(s)
• 30 percent based on their college career and accolades
• 30 percent based on their pro career and accomplishments

All-Time Team Release Schedule

The top 50 players will be released on the following dates:

• 46-50: Monday, July 6
• 41-45: Thursday, July 9
• 36-40: Monday, July 13
• 31-35: Thursday, July 16
• 26-30: Monday, July 20
• 21-25: Thursday, July 23
• 20: Monday, July 27
• 19: Monday, August 3
• 18: Monday, August 10
• 17: Tuesday, August 18
• 16: Monday, August 24
• 15: Monday, August 31
• 14: Tuesday, September 8
• 13: Monday, September 14
• 12: Monday, September 21
• 11: Monday, September 28
• 10: Monday, October 5
• 9: Monday, October 12
• 8: Monday, October 19
• 7: Monday, October 26
• 6: Monday, November 2
• 5: Monday, November 9
• 4: Monday, November 16
• 3: Monday, November 23
• 2: Monday, November 30
• 1: Monday, December 7

Selection & Ranking Committee

The experienced and diverse committee that nominated players for the All-Time Team and ranked them one through 50 consisted of local media members and two Independence Bowl representatives. The full committee is below:

• Alex Anderson – KTBS 3
• Chris Burns – KTAL News
• Chris Demirdjian – KSLA News 12
• Erik Evenson – Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
• Tim Fletcher – The Tim Fletcher Show
• Pesky Hill – Independence Bowl Foundation
• Doug Ireland – Shreveport Bossier Journal
• Roy Lang III – The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate
• Jimmy Watson – Shreveport Times

50th Anniversary Summer of Giveaways

During the nine weeks of the Summer of Giveaways – spanning from June 22 through August 24, fans will have the chance to win eight weekly prizes and one grand prize. Prizes will include Independence Bowl merchandise and memorabilia packs, as well as prizes from sponsors such as Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Eagle Distributing, Lee Michael’s Fine Jewelry, Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana, SportsCards Louisiana, The Golf Club at Stonebridge and Tickets For Less.

To register for the contest, fans should visit the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl’s official social media channels on Facebook, X and Instagram at @IndyBowl. The weekly prizes and how fans can register to win will be posted each Monday, with the winner announced the following Monday. 

Fan Memory Submissions

Another aspect of the Independence Bowl’s 50th anniversary celebration, currently open for fan participation, is the Fan Memory Submissions.  Fans can submit their favorite Independence Bowl memories at https://independence-bowl.cuelive.com/?gameId=post-up&configurationId=6a0c7fec473951af98e1af09. Memories will be posted online and will be shown during the 50th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl on Tuesday, December 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Independence Stadium.

On the Docket – Kickoff Dinner featuring Tyrann Mathieu

The 2026 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Kickoff Dinner featuring Tyrann Mathieu is set for Monday, August 17 at the Shreveport Convention Center. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. for a cocktail hour, and dinner buffets will be available starting at 6:15 p.m. The program will begin at 7 p.m. and conclude with a Q&A session.

Individual tickets to the event are on sale for $75 apiece, and a table of eight is $600. Fans can purchase tickets at RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/product/kickoff-dinner or by calling the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl office at 318.221.0712 or toll-free at 888.414.BOWL.

Mathieu rose to prominence as a member of the LSU Tigers in 2010 and 2011, as he was college football’s premier game-changer, causing turnovers on defense and scoring electric touchdowns on special teams. He enhanced his game-breaking reputation in the National Football League (NFL) during his 12-year career, being named First-Team All-Pro three times and Second-Team All-Pro once. He was also a key member of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV-winning defense.

ABOUT THE RADIANCE TECHNOLOGIES INDEPENDENCE BOWL™

Established in 1976, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl™ is college football’s 11th most historic bowl game, with the 50th anniversary game set for Tuesday, December 22, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. CST on ESPN. Radiance Technologies is the bowl’s title sponsor through at least the 2027 Bowl Season. 

The Independence Bowl Foundation is a prominent presence in the Shreveport-Bossier City area throughout the year, hosting events to enhance the economic impact and growth of our community. The Mission of the Independence Bowl is to attract and provide quality, nationally recognized football competition oriented to the Ark-La-Tex region. For more information, visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com or follow the bowl on Facebook, X and Instagram at @IndyBowl.