Billy Sims Biography

Billy Ray Sims, born on September 18, 1955, played professional football as a running back in the National Football League for five seasons with the Detroit Lions from 1980 to 1984. Sims earned consensus All-American honors during his college football career at the University of Oklahoma and won the Heisman Trophy in 1978. He was selected as the number one overall pick in the NFL draft, marking the last time an Oklahoma player received that honor until Sam Bradford was chosen first in 2010. Before college, Sims recorded 38 games with 100 or more rushing yards in high school, a total tied for third in Texas history. He played for the University of Oklahoma's football team under coach Barry Switzer from 1975 to 1979. In a 1979 game against Nebraska, Sims rushed for 247 yards, contributing to a 17–14 victory over a team with the nation’s top rushing defense. After a loss to Arkansas in 1978, Sims led the Oklahoma Sooners to two consecutive Orange Bowl wins in their next three appearances.