Billy Sims
1980 · Round 1 · Pick 1 · RB · Detroit Lions
Billy Sims was born in St. Louis and grew up in the Pruitt-Igoe housing project before moving to Hooks, Texas, to live with his grandmother. At Hooks High School he set state records with 1,128 carries and 7,738 rushing yards. He was on OU's 1975 national title team, won the Heisman Trophy in 1978, and was a two-time consensus All-American. Detroit drafted him first overall in 1980. He was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, made three Pro Bowls (1980–1982), and was first-team All-Pro in 1981. A knee injury in 1984 ended his career, with 5,106 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns. The Lions retired his No. 20. Tidbit: Chris Berman nicknamed him "Kung Fu Billy Sims" after he leapt and kicked a Houston defender in the head on a run. The Oklahoman wrote on November 16, 1981: "The anticipated matchup between Tony Dorsett, the 1976 Heisman Trophy winner, and 1978 winner Sims went to Sims." The Oklahoman wrote on December 19, 1983: "The NFL's Detroit Lions and the Houston Gamblers of the rival USFL seem headed for a legal encounter with both claiming rights to running back Billy Sims."
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Sims | https://grokipedia.com/page/Billy_Sims | https://soonersports.com/sports/2019/8/13/208798496 | https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SimsBi00.htm | The Oklahoman, 1981-11-16, "Lions' Late FG Beats Cowboys" (via NewsBank The Oklahoman) | The Oklahoman, 1983-12-19, "Courts will decide who gets Billy Sims" (via NewsBank The Oklahoman)