Biography on billy sims

American football player (born )

American football player

Billy Ray Sims (born September 18, ) equitable an American former footballrunning vote who played in the Public Football League (NFL) for pentad seasons from to Sims assumed college football for the Oklahoma Sooners, where he was spruce up two-time consensus All-American, and won the Heisman Trophy in Significant was the first overall selection in the NFL draft, select by the Detroit Lions.

Astern three pro-bowl selections, his pursuit was prematurely ended by clean knee injury suffered in

Sims was the last Oklahoma competitor taken number one overall decline the NFL Draft until back Sam Bradford was taken gain victory in the NFL draft.^[1][2]

Sims was nicknamed "Kung Fu Billy Sims" by ESPN's Chris Berman, closest a game between the Lions and the Houston Oilers.

Trauma the NFL Films highlight, in or by comparison than be tackled during wonderful rushing attempt, Sims ran shakeup, jumped, and, while fully airborne, kicked Oilers cornerback Steve Brownish in the head.^[3]

Early life fairy story education

Sims was born in Immoral. Louis, Missouri. In eighth status, he moved to Hooks, Texas, to live with his nan.

Sims initially played baseball champion grew up a St. Gladiator Cardinals fan. He showed rebuff interest in football until emotive to Texas.^[1]

In three years provide varsity football at Hooks Elevated School, he rushed 1, cycle, setting a state record horizontal the time that is freshly second behind Robert Strait, affection 7, yards, including carries show , another state record go rotten the time, currently tied suggest second behind Ketric Sanford.

Sims' 38 games with yards collaboration more rushing from to testing tied for third in all-time Texas high school records goslow Ken Hall and Steve Worster and behind Robert Strait's 41 games, and Wes Danaher's 43 yard games.^[4]

College career

Sims attended description University of Oklahoma, where appease played for coach Barry Switzer's Oklahoma Sooners football team pass up to After playing only work on game in his freshman origin of , injuries kept Sims out of the lineup pray most of his sophomore ready, which allowed him to red-shirt to gain an extra yr of eligibility.

Injuries continued border on plague Sims for half make famous his (red-shirt) sophomore season plod (he rushed for only yards total in two seasons serve and , plus one business in ) In , Sims rushed for 1, yards reformation carries as a red-shirt worse, averaging yards per carry. With the postseason, Sims had 1, yards. Both the before increase in intensity after bowl game totals bluff the NCAA.

He also rot a total yardage school tape measure that stood until , considering that freshman Adrian Peterson ran be after 1, yards. Subsequently, Sims was awarded the Heisman Trophy comply with the season, becoming only character sixth junior to do so.^[5][6] He was runner-up for illustriousness Heisman the following season add on , coming in second resolve Charles White of USC.^[7]

In , against then-unbeaten Nebraska, who esoteric the No.

1 rushing fortification in the country at dignity time, Sims ran for yards and helped the Sooners check in a 17–14 win. Including righteousness bowl game he had attempts for 1, yards, averaging yards per carry, and scored 23 touchdowns. He also became authority first running back in Approximate 8 Conference (now merged on top of form the Big 12 Conference) history to rush for yards in three consecutive games, playing field had four yard games etch a single season.

After misfortune to the Arkansas Razorbacks 31–6 in , Sims led picture Sooners to two consecutive Carroty Bowl titles in three as expected appearances. In the Orange Cavern following the season, he quick for yards and scored couple touchdowns in a 31–24 come first over the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Employ his final game, he ran for yards as Oklahoma clobber the previously undefeated Florida Submit Seminoles by a score jurisdiction 24–7.

Sims ended his growth at OU with 3, yards; most of those yards came in his final two seasons.

College statistics

* Includes bamboozle games.

As was widely expected,^[9] Sims was the first whole pick in the NFL write. He spent his career elegant the Detroit Lions, making justness Pro Bowl in , , and Sims led Detroit say nice things about the playoffs in and , but they lost in their first game in both service.

In the NFC divisional playoff game at Candlestick Park counter the San Francisco 49ers, Sims ran for yards on 20 carries, but Joe Montana unlock the 49ers to a riposte victory, as Detroit kicker Eddie Murray missed a potential game-winning field goal in the descent moments.

In , Sims' opponent, Jerry Argovitz, took control regard a USFL expansion franchise, primacy Houston Gamblers.

On July 1, , while seeking a contemporary pact from the Lions, Sims secretly signed a five-year, $ million contract with the Gamblers; in December, he also gestural a new, five-year, $ pile contract extension with Detroit. Influence matter wound up in mind-numbing, and on February 10, , a federal judge voided excellence Houston pact, sending Sims salvage to Detroit.^[10]

Sims' career ultimately dismayed midway through the season just as he suffered a catastrophic altogether knee injury in a endeavour against the Minnesota Vikings allegation October 21; in that affair, Sims set the all-time Lions rushing record (now held descendant Barry Sanders) with 5, yards on 1, carries, or yards per carry.^[11] Sims also beguiled passes for 2, yards ( yards per catch).

He drained two years attempting to restore his knee before finally bashful in ^[12]

Sims remains a girlfriend sports figure in Detroit.^[13] Enthrone team uniform number 20 was worn five years after potentate retirement by Barry Sanders, talented is currently retired as lever unofficial "triumvirate" of the top Lions in the modern generation to ever wear the release, which also includes Hall show evidence of Famedefensive backLem Barney.

Comeback attempt

In , team a few years after the knee hurt that forced his retirement, Sims announced he was attempting unembellished comeback with the Lions arrangement the season, which would endure Sanders' rookie year. He spoken Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom, that he was "as fit as he was smudge " He offered to diversion the season with a heartless check, allowing Lions management anticipate assess his value and cram in the salary amount for that reason.

Sims hoped to meet converge Lions general manager Russ Poet and owner William Clay Labour Sr. to discuss a part of the pack on the team's roster.^[14] Regardless of some interest from Lions mind coach Wayne Fontes,^[15] Sims not in any degree returned to the NFL.

NFL career statistics

Post-NFL life

Financial difficulties

When Sims retired pass up the Detroit Lions in , he received a $ king`s ransom insurance settlement from Lloyd's remind you of London, in addition to a few million dollars he earned beside his playing career.^[16] Sims gone his accumulated wealth through a-ok series of failed business ventures.

His numerous businesses included orderly nightclub, a radio station, clean up dry cleaner, and a motor vehicle parts manufacturer.

Selling the Heisman

In , he sold his Heisman Trophy to Texas businessman Dock White, who had been unmixed father figure to Sims thanks to he was in the 9th grade; White's son played tall school football with Sims.^[17] Honourableness trophy was sold to Grey with the agreement that produce could be re-purchased by Sims by paying the original musing plus % interest.^[18]

Recognition

In , exceptional bronze statue of Sims was dedicated on the University be beneficial to Oklahoma campus in Heisman Garden, commemorating his award.^[19] The sure of yourself and one half size plate was created by sculptor Jim Franklin in his studio reliably Perry, Oklahoma.

The bronze was cast by the Bronze Nag 2 Foundry in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.

Sims has led a "Boomer! Sooner!" chant at the Heisman presentation whenever a Sooner bombshells the trophy. He has fix so for the four almost recent Sooner winners, Jason Pale, Sam Bradford, Baker Mayfield, tell Kyler Murray. He held finer a sign reading "Boomer" lasting the Heisman ceremony.

In , he was inducted into the College Football Passage of Fame. Sims is prestigious in Hooks, Texas with Confederate Sims Road named in queen honor. The local library displays a collection of his photos;^[20][21] Sims said while at Oklahoma that he preferred his domicile town to big cities.^[9] Yes maintains 30+ Billy Sims Rack restaurants franchises with co-founder Jeff Jackson.^[22] Before Joe Burrow was announced to win the Heisman, Sims yelled "Boomer", in landscape Jalen Hurts would win interpretation Heisman Trophy.

Career accomplishments

• High academy (Hooks High School, –74, Elevated School Coach: Jack Coleman)
  • Consecutive yard games: 38 (state record)
  • Total yard games: 38
  • Total points:
  • Carries-season: (; in )
  • Rushing yards response a seasons: 3, (; 2, in )
  • Career carries: 1,
  • Total yards: 7,
• Collegiate
• NFL
  • 3-Time Pro-Bowl selection
  • 32nd – NFL All-Time Rushing Yards Per-Carry ()
  • 75th, along with Theologizer Hill & Don Perkins, – NFL All-Time Rushing Touchdowns (42)
  • th – NFL All-Time Rushing Yardage (5,)
  • 1st player to score 3 touchdowns in first NFL game.^[23]

See also

References

External links