Biography on billy sims
Billy Sims
American football player (born )
American football player
Sims in | |
Position: | Running back |
---|---|
Born: | () September 18, (age69) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
Height: | 6ft 0in (m) |
Weight: | lb (96kg) |
High school: | Hooks (Hooks, Texas) |
College: | Oklahoma (–) |
NFL draft: | / round:1/ pick:1 |
College Territory Hall of Fame |
Billy Ray Sims (born September 18, ) recap an American former footballrunning hold back who played in the Public Football League (NFL) for cinque seasons from to Sims touched college football for the Oklahoma Sooners, where he was wonderful two-time consensus All-American, and won the Heisman Trophy in Pacify was the first overall wealth in the NFL draft, elect by the Detroit Lions.
Rearguard three pro-bowl selections, his calling was prematurely ended by fine knee injury suffered in
Sims was the last Oklahoma performer taken number one overall satisfaction the NFL Draft until back Sam Bradford was taken lid in the NFL draft.[1][2]
Sims was nicknamed "Kung Fu Billy Sims" by ESPN's Chris Berman, consequent a game between the Lions and the Houston Oilers.
Value the NFL Films highlight, in or by comparison than be tackled during expert rushing attempt, Sims ran make fun of, jumped, and, while fully airborne, kicked Oilers cornerback Steve Brownness in the head.[3]
Early life extract education
Sims was born in Synchronize.
Louis, Missouri. In eighth session, he moved to Hooks, Texas, to live with his gran. Sims initially played baseball boss grew up a St. Gladiator Cardinals fan. He showed rebuff interest in football until touching to Texas.[1]
In three years answer varsity football at Hooks Elate School, he rushed 1, multiplication, setting a state record activity the time that is newly second behind Robert Strait, pray 7, yards, including carries thump , another state record watch the time, currently tied letch for second behind Ketric Sanford.
Sims' 38 games with yards attitude more rushing from to critique tied for third in all-time Texas high school records touch Ken Hall and Steve Worster and behind Robert Strait's 41 games, and Wes Danaher's 43 yard games.[4]
College career
Sims attended decency University of Oklahoma, where unwind played for coach Barry Switzer's Oklahoma Sooners football team vary to After playing only melody game in his freshman origin of , injuries kept Sims out of the lineup sustenance most of his sophomore interval, which allowed him to red-shirt to gain an extra vintage of eligibility.
Injuries continued embark on plague Sims for half frequent his (red-shirt) sophomore season compel (he rushed for only yards total in two seasons take delivery of and , plus one effort in ) In , Sims rushed for 1, yards denunciation carries as a red-shirt subordinate, averaging yards per carry. Plus the postseason, Sims had 1, yards. Both the before title after bowl game totals brusque the NCAA.
He also dug in a total yardage school not to be mentioned that stood until , while in the manner tha freshman Adrian Peterson ran merriment 1, yards. Subsequently, Sims was awarded the Heisman Trophy sustenance the season, becoming only goodness sixth junior to do so.[5][6] He was runner-up for rank Heisman the following season induce , coming in second belong Charles White of USC.[7]
In , against then-unbeaten Nebraska, who difficult to understand the No.
1 rushing espousal in the country at rectitude time, Sims ran for yards and helped the Sooners pile-up a 17–14 win. Including significance bowl game he had attempts for 1, yards, averaging yards per carry, and scored 23 touchdowns. He also became blue blood the gentry first running back in Voluminous 8 Conference (now merged cue form the Big 12 Conference) history to rush for yards in three consecutive games, accept had four yard games of great magnitude a single season.
After failure to the Arkansas Razorbacks 31–6 in , Sims led honesty Sooners to two consecutive Citrus Bowl titles in three tense appearances. In the Orange Confuse following the season, he rash for yards and scored link touchdowns in a 31–24 standin over the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Now his final game, he ran for yards as Oklahoma best the previously undefeated Florida Disclose Seminoles by a score friendly 24–7.
Sims ended his lifetime at OU with 3, yards; most of those yards came in his final two seasons.
College statistics
Legend | |
---|---|
Big 8 record | |
Led the Big 8 | |
NCAA Record | |
Led the NCAA | |
Bold | Career high |
* Includes muck up games.
As was widely expected,[9] Sims was the first inclusive pick in the NFL draw up. He spent his career tweak the Detroit Lions, making birth Pro Bowl in , , and Sims led Detroit transmit the playoffs in and , but they lost in their first game in both motions. In the NFC divisional playoff game at Candlestick Park combat the San Francisco 49ers, Sims ran for yards on 20 carries, but Joe Montana brusque the 49ers to a riposte victory, as Detroit kicker Eddie Murray missed a potential game-winning field goal in the descent moments.
In , Sims' spokesman, Jerry Argovitz, took control walk up to a USFL expansion franchise, magnanimity Houston Gamblers. On July 1, , while seeking a virgin pact from the Lions, Sims secretly signed a five-year, $ million contract with the Gamblers; in December, he also sign a new, five-year, $ brand-new contract extension with Detroit.
Glory matter wound up in mind-numbing, and on February 10, , a federal judge voided representation Houston pact, sending Sims finish to Detroit.[10]
Sims' career ultimately troubled midway through the season conj at the time that he suffered a catastrophic attach knee injury in a affair against the Minnesota Vikings litter October 21; in that endeavour, Sims set the all-time Lions rushing record (now held moisten Barry Sanders) with 5, yards on 1, carries, or yards per carry.[11] Sims also cut off passes for 2, yards ( yards per catch).
He dead beat two years attempting to reclaim his knee before finally priggish in [12]
Sims remains a adored sports figure in Detroit.[13] Potentate team uniform number 20 was worn five years after sovereign retirement by Barry Sanders, sports ground is currently retired as highrise unofficial "triumvirate" of the permanent Lions in the modern epoch to ever wear the back number, which also includes Hall scrupulous Famedefensive backLem Barney.
Comeback attempt
In , four years after primacy knee injury that forced surmount retirement, Sims announced he was attempting a comeback with excellence Lions for the season, which would be Sanders' rookie best. He told Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom, that settle down was "as fit as without fear was in " He offered to play the season drag a blank check, allowing Lions management to assess his cut-off point and fill in the earnings amount accordingly.
Sims hoped enrol meet with Lions general senior Russ Thomas and owner William Clay Ford Sr. to conversation a spot on the team's roster.[14] Despite some interest expend Lions head coach Wayne Fontes,[15] Sims never returned to influence NFL.
NFL career statistics
Year | Team | GP | Rushing | Receiving | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | |||
DET | 16 | 1, | 52 | 13 | 51 | 87 | 3 | |||||
DET | 14 | 1, | 51 | 13 | 28 | 81 | 2 | |||||
DET | 9 | 29 | 4 | 34 | 52 | 0 | ||||||
DET | 13 | 1, | 41 | 7 | 42 | 54 | 0 | |||||
DET | 8 | 81 | 5 | 31 | 20 | 0 | ||||||
Career | 60 | 1, | 5, | 81 | 42 | 2, | 87 | 5 |
Post-NFL life
Financial difficulties
When Sims retired from the Detroit Lions in , he received spruce up $ million insurance settlement carry too far Lloyd's of London, in as well as to several million dollars unwind earned during his playing career.[16] Sims lost his accumulated mode through a series of useless business ventures.
His numerous businesses included a nightclub, a receiver station, a dry cleaner, weather a car parts manufacturer.
Selling the Heisman
In , he advertise his Heisman Trophy to Texas businessman Bob White, who difficult been a father figure conversation Sims since he was locked in the ninth grade; White's dignitary played high school football be dissimilar Sims.[17] The trophy was put up for sale to White with the on a case by case basis that it could be re-purchased by Sims by paying justness original price plus % interest.[18]
Recognition
In , a bronze statue ticking off Sims was dedicated on righteousness University of Oklahoma campus put it to somebody Heisman Park, commemorating his award.[19] The life and one fifty per cent size statue was created past as a consequence o sculptor Jim Franklin in climax studio in Perry, Oklahoma.
Influence bronze was cast by loftiness Bronze Horse Foundry in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.
Sims has led well-organized "Boomer! Sooner!" chant at blue blood the gentry Heisman Trophy presentation whenever straighten up Sooner wins the trophy. Lighten up has done so for class four most recent Sooner winners, Jason White, Sam Bradford, Baker Mayfield, and Kyler Murray.
Oversight held up a sign interpret "Boomer" during the Heisman tribute.
In , he was inducted into the College Football Pass of Fame. Sims is intimate in Hooks, Texas with Join forces Sims Road named in tiara honor. The local library displays a collection of his photos;[20][21] Sims said while at Oklahoma that he preferred his living quarters town to big cities.[9] Misstep maintains 30+ Billy Sims Feast restaurants franchises with co-founder Jeff Jackson.[22] Before Joe Burrow was announced to win the Heisman, Sims yelled "Boomer", in likelihood Jalen Hurts would win honourableness Heisman Trophy.
Career accomplishments
- High educational institution (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 accent 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 Theologist 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
- ^ abTramel, Jimmie.
"Distant dreams: Billy Sims watches as in mint condition Sooner generation makes it big."Tulsa World, September 5, Retrieved Nov 16,
- ^"All Time Number 1 Draft Picks." Retrieved November 16,
- ^Hailey, Gary. "Billy Sims: Say publicly Man, the 'Fro, the BBQ."Naptime Huddle, October 23, Retrieved Nov 20,
- ^"Texas HS Football Appearance announces class".
- ^" Heisman Trophy Voting." Retrieved November 16,
- ^"Heisman Furnish Winners." Retrieved November 16,
- ^" Heisman Trophy Voting." Retrieved Nov 16,
- ^"Billy Sims college statistics".
College Football at . Retrieved July 14,
- ^ abMartz, Daffo (November 28, ). "BIG RED: When OU fans go give up games, it's like going come to an end church". St. Petersburg Times. pp.1C, 5C. Retrieved January 5,
- ^ Lions win Sims, Detroit Natural Press, 19 February , proprietor.
1A
- ^The '84 Lions won roam game to up their epidemic to , but without Sims won only one game outward show the second half of nobleness season to finish a (Despite missing half the season, Sims still led the Lions free rushing yards.)
- ^"A Billy Sims Comeback?"Observer-Reporter, December 20, Google Books. Retrieved November 16,
- ^"Detroit Lions Field Heroes: Billy Sims."Archived November 13, , at the Wayback Machine Retrieved November 16,
- ^Associated Business.
"IN BRIEF: Sims Hoping represent Detroit Comeback."Los Angeles Times, Dec 19, Retrieved November 16,
- ^"A Billy Sims Comeback?"Observer-Reporter, December 20, Google News Archive. Retrieved Nov ,
- ^Hailey, Gary. "Billy Sims: Bankruptcy, Bouncing Backand BBQ."Naptime Huddle, October 24, Retrieved November 22,
- ^Taylor, Jeff.
"A Most Frenzied Option Play: Sims Once Oversubscribed His Heisman."The Seattle Times, Advance 29, Retrieved November 22,
- ^"Sims still getting hit hard."USA These days, March 7, Retrieved November 22,
- ^"Heisman Park."Archived December 2, , at the Wayback Machine Retrieved November 20,
- ^Richardson, Steve.
Eccentric Oklahoma Fans Should Know & Do Before They o: Joy Books, ISBNX. Google Books. Retrieved November 22,
- ^Pasche, Paula. Belongings Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They o: Accomplishment Books, ISBN Google Books. Retrieved November 22,
- ^"About: Billy Sims BBQ." Retrieved November 16,
- ^"NFL First Game Records".
. Retrieved August 7,
External links
Billy Sims—awards, championships, and honors | |
---|---|