By Darin Imagine growing up on the sidelines of your favorite stadium, watching your father train the athletes you idolize, while dreaming of one day wearing the jersey yourself. For Claude “Monk” Simons, that dream didn’t just come true—it resulted in one of the most iconic plays in college football history. On a crisp New Year’s Day in 1935, Simons transformed from a trainer’s son into a national hero, delivering a spark that would define the inaugural Sugar Bowl and a Hall of Fame career.
Football Bio
January 16, 1914 – New Orleans, Louisiana – The great halfback of Tulane, Claude Monk Simons, was born. Monk’s father was the highly regarded trainer of the Green Wave of Tulane, and his young son grew up dreaming about being on the playing field of the gridiron for Tulane. Sometimes, with hard work and dedication, those dreams come true; they sure did for Simons. The NFF has a great story in their Monk bio. The Tulane team was invited to host the first Sugar Bowl game against Head Coach Pop Warner’s very talented Temple team. That New Year’s Day in 1935, the 22,000 fans filled the air with excitement! The home crowd was silenced at the onset of the contest as Temple scored two quick touchdowns to start the game. Simons had been preparing for this moment for most of his young life. After the second Owl TD, Tulane’s Johnny McDaniel handed off to Simons, and the fleet-footed halfback raced 86 yards down the sideline for the score that ignited the Green Wave to a comeback and eventual victory, 20-14. The College Football Hall of Fame inducted Monk Simons in 1963.
The Legacy of a “Man for All Seasons”
Claude “Monk” Simons remains a towering figure in the history of the Green Wave and Southern sports. His ability to rise to the occasion under the immense pressure of the first-ever Sugar Bowl cemented his legacy as a big-game performer. Simons was more than just a runner; he was the heartbeat of Tulane athletics, later returning as a head coach and even serving as the president of the Sugar Bowl committee. By turning a potential blowout into a historic victory, Simons proved that childhood dreams, when paired with relentless grit, can indeed become a Hall of Fame reality.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (1963)
- Inaugural Sugar Bowl Hall of Fame Class (2017)
- 1934 Third-Team All-American (Associated Press)
- 1934 First-Team All-SEC Selection
- 1935 Sugar Bowl Hero: Recorded a legendary 86-yard touchdown run (via lateral) to lead Tulane to a 20-14 victory over Temple.
- 1934 SEC Statistical Leader: Led the Green Wave in rushing, passing, and scoring during his senior season.
- Clutch Performer: Scored the game-winning punt return touchdown against LSU in 1934 to secure a share of the SEC Championship.
- Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Inductee (1969)
- Tulane Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee (1977)
- Multi-Sport Star: Earned varsity letters in four different sports (Football, Basketball, Baseball, and Track).
