Billy Ray Sims

Billy Ray Sims

University of Oklahoma Football Player (1976 – 1979)
Detroit Lions Player (1980 – 1984)

Billy Sims was born in St. Louis, Missouri and moved to Hooks, Texas in the eighth grade where he focused on football in high school. At Hooks High School from 1972 – 1974, Sims rushed 1,128 times totaling 7,738 yards and ran for over 100 yards in 38 games. He went on to play at the University of Oklahoma where he had a record-setting career. After injuries impacted his first few years, he went on to win the Heisman Trophy as a Junior, also winning the Davey O’Brien Trophy and being named the UPI Player of the year, he was Heisman runner-up his senior season as well as being named a two-time consensus All-American. Sims was the number one overall selection in the 1980 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions. He spent his entire five-year career with the Lions which ended prematurely due to a catastrophic knee injury in 1984. During his career he was named to three consecutive Pro Bowl teams (1980 – 1982), the All-Pro team one time, All-Conference two times and two Pro Bowls as well being the 1980 Offensive Rookie of the Year. Billy Sims was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.