We’re just 20 days away from the season opener against Houston, which means that it’s Billy Sims day at CCM. Boomer!
After playing in only one game as a freshman in 1975 and using a redshirt year in 1976, Sims ended the 1977 season with just over 500 career yards. Two years later he would hold the Oklahoma career rushing record of 4,118 yards, which still stands to this day.
Sims took home the Heisman in 1978 and finished second in 1979 before being selected first overall by the Detroit Lions in 1980. He won the Rookie of the Year award and was selected as a Pro-Bowler three times, but his career was cut short by a knee injury suffered against the Vikings in 1984.
Sims was the total package as a running back - showing off top-end speed and acceleration as well as considerable power, balance and elusiveness. It never showed at Oklahoma, but he was actually a very good receiver out of the backfield, recording 621 yards receiving as a rookie with the Lions to go along with his 1,303 rushing yards. He also had one helluva Karate kick.
Sims has become known for yelling “Boomer!” (which got old really quick) and writing “Boomer” (which was pretty hilarious) at the Heisman ceremony, as well as owning dozens of Billy Sims BBQ locations in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan and Missouri.