If you didn't watch the Heisman Trophy ceremony, where Sam Bradford won the hardware, you missed one of the more unusual events in sports. Billy Sims, the 1978 Heisman Trophy winner out of Norman, was heard, like a cow being herded, "BOOMER SOONER-ing" as Bradford went to accept the award. In sports, the Heisman Trophy might be the most recognizable and accomplished award there is. Unlike the MVP in any of the professional sports, the Heisman is like winning a Green Jacket. You are part of a club.
Sims apologized for his outburst, kinda. Via MDS at CFT ...
"I've been getting some bad press," Sims told the Tulsa World on Monday. "I apologize to the Bradford family and the Heisman Trust if I crossed a boundary. But, there's no way I'd try to upstage your son's day. I love the university so much. I try to be a spokesman for them. And I will continue to be myself and let people know about the great state of Oklahoma. And I will never, ever stop saying 'Boomer Sooner,' regardless of who don't like it."Well, "regardless of who don't like it" would include "most people with an ounce of manners."
It is the Heisman ceremony for goodness sakes, not an Oklahoma-Oklahoma State game. You don't hear people screaming "Take it off, Honey!" as the bride is saying "I Do." That would be the wrong place for such a request.
"Boomer Sooner" at the top of your lungs in a formal trophy ceremony is also bad timing. Save it for the bar visit later that night.
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
Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Typical bad manners by somebody who doesn't know how to act in public.
Youre absolutly right...he didnt know how to act and his behavior was shameful. He acted more like a spoiled child whos 15 minutes of fame was uop so he had to dodge infront of someone else whos turn it is. Sad old man.
for all of the high society people in here if you dont like it too bad. billy sims can do what he wants. sam bradford wasnt offended. the only people offended are the couch potatoes who have never did anything in their life so they use an internet forum to vent their frustrations.
some of you people are really pathetic.
Billy Sims every year has too yell his "Boomer" when being introduced as a past winner of the Heisman! He's the ONLY one that does it every year. His past glory and accomplishments are long gone ... only to be replaced by endless money woes as well as personal issues! Get a life Billy ... everyone DOESN'T have to notice you. Just stand there and smile like all the others do when being introduced.
The HEISMAN is "The Award" amoung ALL awards ... be respectful and keep the "hood" shoutouts for the proper place and time!
why do people have their noses so high in the air over the Heisman? By the way, Bradford said he liked it...guess it's a Sooner thing. And the guy form the Heisman Trust said they had no problem with Sims, calling him a "fine gentleman."
The irony here is you making fun of Sims' grammar in the same sentence you accuse him of having bad manners. I can assure you, Billy Sims may be over-enthusiastic, but he would never speak down to someone.
"Who don't like it?" Do they teach English at Oklahoma?
Far as being an Okie, Georgie catfish boy, we play football here. Bad ass football. We respect God, honor the flag, kick rear and take names. Yours included. So Billy needs to shut up. We know that. Sims was a Texas product and has talked like he talks all his life. It is all about Sam Bradford -- he's one classy quarterback. He is so far ahead of everybody else that you must have missed him when he went by.
Billy Sims was recruited from Texas to OU.
I can't believe this is news. This is nothing but the most valuable QB award. Over-rated award show.
The Heisman is the top trophy in college football, Sims made the whole thing seem like Bradford just won a new car on The Price is Right. It was rude, and embarassing. He along with with George who slams grammer on a stupid internet post must be the 2 stupidest people alive today.
What do you expect from an Okie?
Not that it really matters but it bugs me when people don't have their facts straight. While Mr. Sims may exhibit great pride in the state of Oklahoma and the University, he's not an 'Okie'. Mr. Sims was born in St. Louis, MO and was recruited out of Hooks, TX.
Sims was just a "flash in the pan" back in his day, and should be reminded of that at every OU commemorative event.
ya'll need to get over it BOOMER!!!!!
You mean CHOMP CHOMP!!!!!!
Stay off the sauce, bro.....and find yourself a new tailor!!
The sad thing about Saturdays ceremony was that Colt McCoy has the best overall stats in college football yet did not receive the Heisman. Its all very political, they want the Heisman winner to be in the mythical " National Championship Game". Did they overlook the fact that Texas beat Oklahoma by 10 points on a neutral field!! It was a huge rip off for Colt.
I'm a very proud Sooner fan. I attended most of the games since 1972, and I've always been a fan of Billy Sims. After the announcement I wondered who the knuckle head was that was SCREAMING Boomer at the top of his lungs... To be frank with you, I thought it was VERY rude and it SUCKS that not only was it a Sooner fan, but that it was Billy Sims... Sam is truly the man and absolutely tore it up this year as Billy always did when he played. But DAMN BILLY, if you’re going to tweak out like that… I highly recommend that you check out the excellent coverage that ESPN offers... With that said… Go BIG RED!
Go big red is for Nebraska you nincompoop go watch opera or some other stuff like that STFU you know nothing
I thought he was saying Bomar!