There is no guarantee that an Arizona team will be playing in the 2024 VRBO Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31, but one of the state’s greatest treasures will be putting on for The Valley and be rightfully celebrated in the days prior.
Arizona wrestling royalty Anthony Robles was announced as this year’s Fiesta Bowl Parade Grand Marshal via press release from the Fiesta Bowl on Nov. 26. Robles, who was born with one leg, won two Arizona high school state championships and a high school national championship as a student at Mesa High School and went on to win an NCAA national championship for Arizona State in 2011 after walking-on to the program as a freshman.
“Anthony Robles has lived his life in a way we all aspire to — with perseverance, humility, determination, honor and courage,” Fiesta Sports Foundation Executive Director & CEO Erik Moses said in the press release. “He is a great person to lead our Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe.”
???? JUST ANNOUNCED: One of the most inspirational athletes in our state's history will be celebrated on Sat, Dec. 28, when AZ native and 2011 @NCAAWrestling Champion @ARobles125 serves as the Grand Marshal of the 2024 @Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade, presented by @LernerandRowe!
— Vrbo Fiesta Bowl (@Fiesta_Bowl) November 26, 2024
????♂️ 1/2 pic.twitter.com/W8AK6N0n2r
Robles joins former MLB great Randy Johnson, NBA players Charles Barkley and Richard Jefferson, former NFL player Jake Plummer and WNBA stars Alice Cooper and Dianna Taurasi as Parade Grand Marshals.
Robles’ life has never been without obstacles. Despite his highly decorated high school career, the Arizonan walked-on to ASU’s program, where he became a three-time All-American and posted an undefeated senior campaign during the 2010-2011season, where he’d claim his national title in the 125-pound class.
“To be the Grand Marshal in my own state is an honor,” Robles said via press release. “It’s where I grew up, I went to Mesa High School; Arizona is home for me. To represent Arizona and all the good things that are here, it’s very special.
Robles released his autobigrophy “Unstoppable: From Underdog to Undefeated: How I Became a Champion” in 2012. A movie based on his life produced by Ben Afleck and Matt Damon starring Don Cheadle, Jharrel Jerome and Jennifer Lopez will release on Amazon Prime on Jan. 16, 2025.
The trailer for Unstoppable is here!! It will be in select theaters December 6th and streaming on @PrimeVideo January 16th!!! @artists_equity @AmazonMGMStudio January 16th!!!
— Anthony Robles (@ARobles125) October 30, 2024
#UnstoppableMovie pic.twitter.com/lwdMI38r4V
He received the 2011 Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, the 2011 ESPY for Best Male Athlete with a Disability, the 2011 NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award, was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012, awarded the “Broadcaster of the Year” by the National Wrestling Media Association in 2015 and inducted into the ASU Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.
Robles will serve as the two-mile Fiesta Bowl Parade Grand Marshal on Saturday, Dec. 28 at 10 a.m.
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Reporter Jordyn Bennett covers Phoenix area sports and sports related topics. You can follow him on his X account, @j_bennett_live
