If there was one true loser on a night of winners, that man is Billy Sims.The 1978 Heisman winner and College Hall of Famer made an absolute mockery of the ceremony when Sam Bradford was presented this year's trophy, hooting and hollering "Boomer" repeatedly until a fellow Oklahoman finally responded "Sooner" (based off of the school's fight song).
Not surprisingly, this isn't the first time Sims has lampooned the presentation with his rah-rah antics. When the trophy was presented to quarterback Jason White in 2003, Sims did the same exact thing.
Video of the clowning and a rundown of message board vitriol after the jump...
If I had to sum up my initial reaction in one word, it would have to be "Wow."
You stay classy, Sims. Even after someone from the crowd replied to him, he bellowed forth a couple more times. While Bradford was approaching the podium, the TV moment somehow became about Sims' chants drowning out the applause for Bradford.
Look, nobody has forgotten the great seasons Sims had at both Oklahoma and in the NFL. But this wasn't a time for Sims to relive his glory years; it was a time to honor the new class of outstanding college players. To me, it's vaguely like a little kid pitching his team to their first Little League championship, only to see his obnoxious uncle/coach keep the trophy in his mantle.
But don't just take my word for it, let's go through some of the forum comments ...
From OrangePower.com:
From CBSSports.com:
After Sims' NFL retirement, he fell on some hard times -- including bankruptcy and trouble with wives. We may have to add barred from Heisman ceremony the next time someone from Oklahoma is up for the award.
But hey, there's always a boomin' good time down at Billy Sims BBQ!
"Sooner or later, we'll get ya."
H/T: Video Longhorn
Where Are College Stars Now?
Then: Billy Sims, Running Back, Oklahoma 1975-79 | Accomplishments: Sims led the nation in rushing and scoring in 1978 (1,762 yards, 20 touchdowns) and 1979 (1,506 yards, 22 touchdowns). The Sooner won the Heisman Trophy in 1978 and was the runner-up to Charles White in 1979.
AP
Now: Sims, seen here in 2004, suffered a number of personal setbacks after his days in the NFL, but now he serves as a vice president with America Can, a non-profit organization, and is part owner of Billy Sims Barbecue. Sims makes appearances as a former Detroit Lion and Heisman Trophy winner for sports marketing firms.
Tom Pidgeon, Getty Images
Then: Andre Ware, Quarterback, Houston 1987-89 | Accomplishments: He set 26 NCAA records, including passing for 4,699 yards and 46 touchdowns in 1989 en route to winning the Heisman. In three seasons, Ware racked up 8,202 yards passing and 75 touchdowns. He was drafted with the No. 7 overall pick by the Detroit Lions in 1990, but had very disappointing campaigns in both the NFL and Canadian Football League.
Getty Images
Now: Ware is a radio talk-show host in Houston as well as the analyst for the Houston Texans' broadcast team.
John Atashian, ESPN
Then: Archie Griffin, Running Back, Ohio State 1972-75 | Accomplishments: Griffin is the only individual to win two Heisman Trophies and the only player to start four Rose Bowls. His 5,177 career rushing yards was an NCAA record when he left school. He also set an NCAA record for gaining 100 yards in 31 consecutive games.
Tony Tomsic, Getty Images
Now: Griffin is currently the president of The Ohio State University Alumni Association, and spokesman for the Wendy's High School Heisman award program. What does he think of his unique Heisman status? "I've said for a long time that there will be somebody that will win it twice and Tim (Tebow) could be that person," Griffin told ESPN.
Malcolm Ali, WireImage/Getty Images
Then: Ty Detmer, Quarterback, Brigham Young 1988-91 | Accomplishments: In his junior year, Detmer won the Heisman Trophy after passing for 5,188 yards and 41 touchdowns. He posted 59 NCAA records during his college career and went on to play 14 seasons in the NFL.
Mike Powell, Getty Images
Now: Detmer is chief of Triton Athlete Services and provides financial strategy for professional athletes.
Triton Financial
Then: Johnny Rodgers, Running Back, Nebraska 1970-72 | Accomplishments: For his career, the Heisman winner averaged 13.8 yards whenever he touched the ball. He scored four TDs and passed for a fifth during the 40-6 drubbing of Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl at the end of the '72 season that secured the Cornhuskers' second consecutive national title.
AP
Now: "The Jet," who wrote a book about the Cornhuskers entitled 'An Era of Greatness,' owns a sports marketing firm in Omaha and also created a mentoring program for youth.
Dave Weaver, AP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
12-14-2008 @ 10:57AM
soonerdc said...
First of all let me say congrats to all 3 Heisman candidates. 3 really outstanding young men outside of football and unbeliveable athletes on the field. As far as people not liking OU fans because of something Billy Sims did and yes 2 times now, is unfair ! I will be the first one to say, I was embarrsed for Jason White and now for Sam Bradford at Billy Sims antics on the Heisman stage. Dont put all Oklahoma fans in the I hate catagory because of something someone who played in 1975-79 does or says! Hate us because we are sucsessfull. Let me say this loud and clear " BILLY GROW UP AND GET SOME CLASS " !
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12-15-2008 @ 1:11AM
bluerange308 said...
You were doing good until you said "hate us because we're succesfull". Statements like that are why we really hate you, you're all too arrogant for your own good!
12-14-2008 @ 10:56AM
dan said...
get over it ! it's a football award not a nobel prize!!
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12-14-2008 @ 7:06PM
jim said...
i bet more people know who won the heisman than who won a nobel prize. more than 90% of the population in the world probably doesn't even know when it's given out. take your nose out of the book for once and experience life.
12-15-2008 @ 11:21AM
Bill said...
From a Sooner fan in Norman.
There's a time and place for everything. A time to show pride in being a Sooner, (like at a pep rally, or after a big win) and a time to respectfully take your place with quiet pride among a group of the greatest players from all over our country.
This was a time and a place to honor an individual, and also to honor the history and tradition of college football itself.
This was not the right setting to start shouting about being a Sooner.
12-15-2008 @ 4:27PM
Jeff said...
The heisman goes to the best player on the team that runs up the score the most and got beat by Texas.....no surprise there.
12-14-2008 @ 11:57AM
Todd said...
I totally agree with what soonerdc said. The vast majority of OU fans -- as are the fans from any school -- classier and more respectful than the few clowns that try to ruin it. I'm a longtime fan, having graduated in '92, and am grateful for the program Stoops has built. Having said that, I was mortified by Sims' rantings. At the time it happened, I was embarrassed for that person -- and that he was supporting "my team." Finding out later that it was a onetime great just made things worse. My apologies to anyone who was listening. Sims made an ass out of himself.
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12-14-2008 @ 12:46PM
lcleejr said...
the author of this article is an idiot. nothing was taken from the heisman winner. sims attended oklahoma and was happy another alum won the heisman.
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12-14-2008 @ 12:58PM
James said...
The Heisman and the BCS, are nothing more than a Big Joke. Bradford Is deserving, but no more so than Tebow, McCoy and Harrell who was snubbed. The Big 12 South should have been decided by drawing straws. As for Billy Sims...all I can say Is " What An Idiot " !!!!!!!
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12-14-2008 @ 3:44PM
prince said...
you must be a texas fan!!! the point is you suck and all you wana be schools out in the idiot world, shut up!!! boomer sooner
12-14-2008 @ 6:25PM
Ryan said...
u a idoit i bet u want say it to his face let tha man be happy for someone winning it from his school
12-14-2008 @ 7:08PM
James said...
So he Is a Happy Idiot...Ryan !!!
12-14-2008 @ 1:16PM
Dirk said...
I really don't see what the big deal is, he was excited and expressed his emotions in his way. Maybe if the other spectators were as passionate, he wouldn't have stood out so much.
What's with all of the "polite" applause, sounds pretty boring to me.
I played football and found Sims chanting only a normal "visceral" football type reaction. Sounds like he still has some game.
And believe me, I am not an OU fan, hook em horns, next year McCoy!!
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12-14-2008 @ 1:19PM
Dirk said...
I completely agree with you, have any of these people commenting actually played football?
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12-14-2008 @ 1:58PM
BigTex84 said...
Seriously, what's the problem! He's a funny man...he did it with Jason and he'll do it if another Sooner wins! He was just as happy last year when Tebow won (he just didn't scream out "Boomer")...you saw that Jason and Sam Bradford responded to him by screaming Sooner...so, it's just something Sooners do...calm down!!
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12-14-2008 @ 2:34PM
ralphie said...
sims was a running back. only q-backs need brains
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12-14-2008 @ 5:39PM
Ryan said...
and u never played a day of football in your life
12-14-2008 @ 3:19PM
scott said...
He may have been out of place at the Heisman show but his response was mild compared to fans at many football games we go to these days. If this was the biggest sin against him when he meets his maker I would consider him a saint !
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12-16-2008 @ 5:20PM
robert said...
You said it...at games!! This was not a game and not a place to act out your idot college antics. Just have some dignity and class.
12-14-2008 @ 3:12PM
Ohio State Grad '89 said...
I was trully embarrassed for Sam Bradford. The kid had to be nervous as hell, and to have this lugnut Sims takeover the Heisman presentation was ignorrant. Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow deserved better, as both atheletes represented their schools very well.
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