Robert Cortez
Inducted 1997
Hometown: San Benito
College: Texas A&M University
Best Known for: Athlete-Football
One of the hardest-charging players in Valley history, Cortez was a two-way star for San Benito High School in the early 1960s and went on to a successful career as a starter at Texas A&M University, where he played in the 1967 Cotton Bowl for Coach Gene Stallings.
At 5-10 and 190 pounds, Cortez was a crunching runner and dominant linebacker, helping the Greyhounds to the state semifinals as a sophomore in 1961, teaming in the backfield with long-time friend Jim Helms.
At Texas A&M, Cortez began his career on the fifth string for the Aggie freshman but his hustle and toughness soon earned him a starting role. He started three seasons on the varsity defense. After graduation, became a long-time coach and administrator.
Cortez was an assistant on Monterrey Tech's 1974 national title team, and later served as athletic director at San Benito for seven seasons.