The 121st Rose Parade featured an opening spectacular led by Grand Marshal and national hero, Captain Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger III, who, with his crew, courageously saved the lives of 155 people by guiding US Airways Flight 1549 to an emergency water landing in New York City’s frigid Hudson River. Living up to its theme, 2010: A Cut Above the Rest, the parade’s superb display of floats, bands and equestrians inspired all families watching in Pasadena and at home. The festivities ended with a tribute to late 2010 Tournament of Roses President and Naval officer Gary J. DiSano - a Navy flyover carrying out the missing man formation.
2010 marked a historic year for the Tournament of Roses as the organization hosted two post-season football games. The 96th Rose Bowl Game featured no. 8-ranked Ohio State University defeating no. 7-ranked University of Oregon in a traditional Big Ten versus Pac-10 match-up. The Buckeyes beat the Ducks 26-17.
The 2010 Citi BCS National Championship Game was held on Thursday, January 7, 2010 and featured an exciting match-up between the top two collegiate teams in the nation, the no. 1-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide and the no. 2-ranked Texas Longhorns. The Crimson Tide captured the national championship title after defeating the Longhorns 37-21.