View source for Billy Sims

{{Short description|American football player (born 1955)}}
{{for|the American blues musician|Bill Sims}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name        = Billy Sims
| image       = BillySimsWithFan (cropped).JPG
| alt         =
| caption     = Sims in 2010
| number      = 20
| position    = [[Running back]]
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1955|9|18}}
| birth_place = [[St. Louis|St. Louis, Missouri]], U.S.
| death_date  = 
| death_place = 
| height_ft   = 6
| height_in   = 0
| weight_lb   = 212
| high_school = [[Hooks High School|Hooks]] {{avoid wrap|([[Hooks, Texas]])}}
| college     = [[Oklahoma Sooners football|Oklahoma]] (1975–1979)
| draftyear   = 1980
| draftround  = 1
| draftpick   = 1
| pastteams   =
* [[Detroit Lions]] ({{NFL Year|1980|1984}})
| highlights  =
* [[NFL Rookie of the Year Award|NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year]] (1980)
* First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1981 All-Pro Team|1981]])
* Second-team All-Pro ([[1980 All-Pro Team|1980]])
* 3× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1981 Pro Bowl|1980]]–[[1983 Pro Bowl|1982]])
* [[List of National Football League annual rushing touchdowns leaders|NFL rushing touchdowns co-leader]] (1980)
* [[Pro Football Writers of America NFL All-Rookie Team|PFWA All-Rookie Team]] ([[Pro Football Writers of America NFL All-Rookie Team#1980|1980]])
* [[Detroit Lions 75th Anniversary Team]]
* [[Detroit Lions#Lions All-Time Team|Detroit Lions All-Time Team]]
* [[Detroit Lions#Retired numbers|Detroit Lions No. 20]] retired
* [[College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS|National champion]] ([[1975 Oklahoma Sooners football team|1975]])
* [[Heisman Trophy]] (1978)
* [[UPI College Football Player of the Year|UPI Player of the Year]] (1978)
* [[Davey O'Brien Memorial Trophy]] (1978)
* [[Sporting News College Football Player of the Year|''SN'' Player of the Year]] (1978)
* [[Chic Harley Award]] (1978)
* 2× [[List of unanimous All-Americans in college football|Unanimous All-American]] ([[1978 College Football All-America Team|1978]], [[1979 College Football All-America Team|1979]])
* 2× [[Big Eight Conference football#Offensive Player of the Year|Big Eight Offensive Player of the Year]] (1978, 1979)
* 2× First-team All-[[Big Eight Conference|Big Eight]] ([[1978 All-Big Eight Conference football team|1978]], [[1979 All-Big Eight Conference football team|1979]])
| statlabel1  = Rushing yards
| statvalue1  = 5,106
| statlabel2  = Rushing average
| statvalue2  = 4.5
| statlabel3  = Rushing [[touchdown]]s
| statvalue3  = 42
| statlabel4  = [[Reception (gridiron football)|Receptions]]
| statvalue4  = 186
| statlabel5  = Receiving yards
| statvalue5  = 2,072
| statlabel6  = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue6  = 5
| pfr         = S/SimsBi00
| CollegeHOF  = 2289 
}}

'''Billy Ray Sims''' (born September 18, 1955) is an American former professional [[American football|football]] player who was a [[running back]] for five seasons with the [[Detroit Lions]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL) from 1980 to 1984. Sims played [[college football]] for the [[Oklahoma Sooners football|Oklahoma Sooners]], earning consensus [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] honors twice, and winning the [[Heisman Trophy]] in 1978. He was selected by the Lions with [[List of first overall National Football League Draft picks|first overall pick]] of the [[1980 NFL draft]]. After three [[Pro Bowl]] selections, his career was prematurely ended by a knee injury suffered in 1984.

Sims was the last Oklahoma player taken number one overall in the NFL draft until quarterback [[Sam Bradford]] was taken first in the [[2010 NFL draft|2010 draft]].<ref name=sam>Tramel, Jimmie. [http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/distant-dreams-billy-sims-watches-as-new-sooner-generation-makes/article_81bf417b-0139-5f20-9c8e-7c103528d817.html "Distant dreams: Billy Sims watches as new Sooner generation makes it big."] [[Tulsa World]], September 5, 2010. Retrieved November 16, 2014.</ref><ref>[http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/alltimeno1 "All Time Number 1 Draft Picks."] ''www.nfl.com.'' Retrieved November 16, 2014.</ref>

Sims was nicknamed "'''Kung Fu Billy Sims'''" by [[ESPN]]'s [[Chris Berman]], following a game between the Lions and the [[Houston Oilers]]. In the [[NFL Films]] highlight, rather than be tackled during a rushing attempt, Sims ran at, jumped, and, while fully airborne, kicked Oilers cornerback [[Steve Brown (American football)|Steve Brown]] in the head.<ref name=kungfu>Hailey, Gary. [http://naptimehuddle.blogspot.com/2012/10/billy-sims-man-fro-bbq.html "Billy Sims: The Man, the 'Fro, the BBQ."] ''Naptime Huddle'', October 23, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2014.</ref>

==Early life and education==
Sims was born in [[St. Louis]], [[Missouri]]. In eighth grade, he moved to [[Hooks, Texas]], to live with his grandmother. Sims initially played baseball and grew up a [[St. Louis Cardinals]] fan. He showed no interest in football until moving to Texas.<ref name=sam/>

In three years of varsity football at [[Hooks High School]], he rushed 1,128 times, setting a state record at the time that is currently second behind [[Robert Strait]], for 7,738 yards, including 441 carries in 1973, another state record at the time, currently tied for second behind [[Ketric Sanford]]. Sims' 38 games with 100 yards or more rushing from 1972 to 1974 is tied for third in all-time Texas high school records with [[Ken Hall (American football)|Ken Hall]] and [[Steve Worster]] and behind [[Robert Strait|Robert Strait's]] 41 games, and Wes Danaher's 43 100-yard games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wacotrib.com/blogs/high_school_sports/texas-hs-football-hall-announces-class/article_457905d9-d4ac-511a-bd5f-0141ea71832a.html|title = Texas HS Football Hall announces 2013 class}}</ref>

===College career===
Sims attended the [[University of Oklahoma]], where he played for coach [[Barry Switzer]]'s [[Oklahoma Sooners football]] team from 1975 to 1979. After playing only one game in his freshman year of 1975, injuries kept Sims out of the lineup for most of his sophomore season, which allowed him to red-shirt to gain an extra year of eligibility. Injuries continued to plague Sims for half of his (red-shirt) sophomore season in 1977 (he rushed for only 545 yards total in two seasons in 1975 and 1977, plus one game in 1976.) In 1978, Sims rushed for 1,762 yards on 231 carries as a red-shirt junior, averaging 7.6 yards per carry. Including the postseason, Sims had 1,896 yards. Both the before and after bowl game totals led the NCAA. He also set a total yardage school record that stood until 2004, when freshman [[Adrian Peterson]] ran for 1,925 yards. Subsequently, Sims was awarded the [[Heisman Trophy]] for the 1978 season, becoming only the sixth junior to do so.<ref name=first>[https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-1978.html "1978 Heisman Trophy Voting."] ''www.sports-reference.com.'' Retrieved November 16, 2014.</ref><ref name=winner>[http://heisman.com/roster.aspx?path=football& "Heisman Trophy Winners."] ''www.heisman.com.'' Retrieved November 16, 2014.</ref> He was runner-up for the Heisman the following season in 1979, coming in second to [[Charles White (American football)|Charles White]] of [[USC Trojans football|USC]].<ref name=second>[https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-1979.html "1979 Heisman Trophy Voting."] ''www.sports-reference.com.'' Retrieved November 16, 2014.</ref>

In 1979, against then-unbeaten Nebraska, who had the No. 1 rushing defense in the country at the time, Sims ran for 247 yards and helped the Sooners to a 17–14 win. Including the bowl game he had 248 attempts for 1,670 yards, averaging 6.7 yards per carry, and scored 23 touchdowns.  He also became the first running back in [[Big Eight Conference|Big 8 Conference]] (now merged to form the [[Big 12 Conference]]) history to rush for 200-yards in three consecutive games, and had four 200-yard games in a single season.

After losing to the [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|Arkansas Razorbacks]] 31–6 in 1978, Sims led the Sooners to two consecutive [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange Bowl]] titles in three straight appearances. In the Orange Bowl following the 1978 season, he rushed for 134 yards and scored two touchdowns in a 31–24 win over the [[Nebraska Cornhuskers football|Nebraska Cornhuskers]]. In his final game, he ran for 164 yards as Oklahoma beat the previously undefeated [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State Seminoles]] by a score of 24–7. Sims ended his career at OU with 3,813 yards; most of those yards came in his final two seasons.

===College statistics===
{| class="wikitable
|-
! colspan="2"| Legend
|-
| style="background:#e0cef2; width:3em"|
| Big 8 record
|-
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the Big 8
|-
| style="background:#ff0; width:3em;"|
| NCAA Record
|-
| style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|
| Led the NCAA
|-
| '''Bold'''
| Career high
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! colspan="3" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Oklahoma Sooners|color=white}}"| Billy Sims
! colspan="4"| Rushing
! colspan="4"| Receiving
|-
! Season !! Team !! GP !! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! TD !! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! TD
|-
! [[1975 NCAA Division I football season|1975]] !! [[1975 Oklahoma Sooners football team|Oklahoma]]
| 11 || 15 || 95 || 6.3 || 0 || — || — || — || —
|-
! [[1976 NCAA Division I football season|1976]] !! [[1976 Oklahoma Sooners football team|Oklahoma]]
| 11 || 3 || 44 || '''14.7''' || 0 || — || — || — || —
|-
! [[1977 NCAA Division I football season|1977]] !! [[1977 Oklahoma Sooners football team|Oklahoma]]
| '''12''' || 71 || 413 || 5.8 || 6 || — || — || — || —
|-
! [[1978 NCAA Division I-A football season|1978]] !! [[1978 Oklahoma Sooners football team|Oklahoma]]
| 11 || '''231''' || style="background:#cfecec;"| '''1,762''' || 7.6 || style="background:#afe6ba;"| 20 || '''1''' || 35 || 35.0 || 0
|-
! [[1979 NCAA Division I-A football season|1979]] !! [[1979 Oklahoma Sooners football team|Oklahoma]]
| 11 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 224 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 1,506 || style="background:#afe6ba;"| 6.7 || style="background:#afe6ba;"| '''22''' || '''1''' || '''42''' || '''42.0''' || 0
|-
! colspan="2"| Career<ref name="Billy Sims college statistics">{{cite web|title=Billy Sims college statistics|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/billy-sims-1.html|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=July 14, 2019}}</ref> !! 56 !! 544 !! 3,820 !! 7.0 !! 48 !! 2 !! 77 !! 38.5 !! 0
|}<nowiki>*</nowiki> Includes bowl games.

==National Football League==
[[File:Bob Gregor.jpg|thumb|Sims ''(with ball)'' against the [[San Diego Chargers]] in 1981]]
As was widely expected,<ref name="martz19791128">{{Cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OaBIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fHwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4823%2C3685846 |title=BIG RED: When OU fans go to games, it's like going to church |last=Martz |first=Ron |date=November 28, 1979 |work=St. Petersburg Times |access-date=January 5, 2019 |pages=1C,5C}}</ref> Sims was the first overall pick in the [[1980 NFL draft]]. He spent his career with the [[Detroit Lions]], making the [[Pro Bowl]] in 1980, 1981, and 1982. Sims led Detroit to the playoffs in 1982 and 1983, but they lost in their first game in both appearances. In the 1983 NFC divisional playoff game at [[Candlestick Park]] against the [[San Francisco 49ers]], Sims ran for 114 yards on 20 carries, but [[Joe Montana]] led the 49ers to a comeback victory, as Detroit kicker [[Eddie Murray (American football)|Eddie Murray]] missed a potential game-winning field goal in the waning moments.

In 1983, Sims' agent, Jerry Argovitz, took control of a [[USFL]] expansion franchise, the [[Houston Gamblers]]. On July 1, 1983, while seeking a new pact from the Lions, Sims secretly signed a five-year, $3.5 million contract with the Gamblers; in December, he also signed a new, five-year, $4.5 million contract extension with Detroit. The matter wound up in court, and on February 10, 1984, a federal judge voided the Houston pact, sending Sims back to Detroit.<ref>https://www.newspapers.com/image/99100344/ Lions win Sims, ''Detroit Free Press'', 19 February 1984, p. 1A</ref>

Sims' career ultimately ended midway through the 1984 season when he suffered a catastrophic right knee injury in a game against the [[Minnesota Vikings]] on October 21; in that game, Sims set the all-time Lions rushing record (now held by [[Barry Sanders]]) with 5,106 yards on 1,131 carries, or 4.5 yards per carry.<ref>The '84 Lions won that game to up their record to 3-5, but without Sims won only one game in the second half of the season to finish a 4-11-1. (Despite missing half the season, Sims still led the Lions with 687 rushing yards.)</ref> Sims also caught 186 passes for 2,072 yards (11.1 yards per catch). He spent two years attempting to rehabilitate his knee before finally retiring in 1986.<ref name=rehab>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2519&dat=19881220&id=sqhdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=S10NAAAAIBAJ&pg=5917,6596767 "A Billy Sims Comeback?"] [[Observer-Reporter]], December 20, 1988. ''Google Books.'' Retrieved November 16, 2014.</ref>

Sims remains a beloved sports figure in Detroit.<ref name=beloved>[http://www.detroitlions.com/team/history/gridiron-heroes/billysims.html "Detroit Lions Gridiron Heroes: Billy Sims."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113181618/http://www.detroitlions.com/team/history/gridiron-heroes/billysims.html |date=November 13, 2014 }} ''www.detroitlions.com.'' Retrieved November 16, 2014.</ref> His team uniform number 20 was worn five years after his retirement by [[Barry Sanders]], and is currently retired as an unofficial "[[triumvirate]]" of the greatest Lions in the modern era to ever wear the number, which also includes [[NFL Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]] [[defensive back]] [[Lem Barney]].

===Comeback attempt===
In 1988, four years after the knee injury that forced his retirement, Sims announced he was attempting a comeback with the Lions for the [[1989 Detroit Lions season|1989 season]], which would be Sanders' rookie year. He told ''[[Detroit Free Press]]'' columnist [[Mitch Albom]], that he was "as fit as he was in 1983."  He offered to play the season with a [[blank check]], allowing Lions management to assess his value and fill in the salary amount accordingly. Sims hoped to meet with Lions general manager [[Russ Thomas]] and owner [[William Clay Ford Sr.]] to discuss a spot on the team's roster.<ref name=comeback>[[Associated Press]]. [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-12-19-mn-525-story.html "IN BRIEF : Sims Hoping for Detroit Comeback."] [[Los Angeles Times]], December 19, 1988. Retrieved November 16, 2014.</ref> Despite some interest from Lions head coach [[Wayne Fontes]],<ref name=wayne>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2519&dat=19881220&id=sqhdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=S10NAAAAIBAJ&pg=5917,6596767 "A Billy Sims Comeback?"] [[Observer-Reporter]], December 20, 1988. [[Google News Archive]]. Retrieved November 201, 2014.</ref> Sims never returned to the NFL.

==NFL career statistics==
{|class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! rowspan="2"| GP
! colspan="5"| Rushing
! colspan="5"| Receiving
|-
! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD
|-
! [[1980 NFL season|1980]] !! [[1980 Detroit Lions season|DET]]
| 16 || 313 || 1,303 || 4.2 || 52 || 13 || 51 || 621 || 12.2 || 87 || 3
|-
! [[1981 NFL season|1981]] !! [[1981 Detroit Lions season|DET]]
| 14 || 296 || 1,437 || 4.9 || 51 || 13 || 28 || 451 || 16.1 || 81 || 2
|-
! [[1982 NFL season|1982]] !! [[1982 Detroit Lions season|DET]]
| 9 || 172 || 639 || 3.7 || 29 || 4 || 34 || 342 || 10.1 || 52 || 0
|-
! [[1983 NFL season|1983]] !! [[1983 Detroit Lions season|DET]]
| 13 || 220 || 1,040 || 4.7 || 41 || 7 || 42 || 419 || 10.0 || 54 || 0
|-
! [[1984 NFL season|1984]] !! [[1984 Detroit Lions season|DET]]
| 8 || 130 || 687 || 5.3 || 81 || 5 || 31 || 239 || 7.7 || 20 || 0
|-
! colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SimsBi00.htm Career] !! 60 !! 1,131 !! 5,106 !! 4.5 !! 81 !! 42 !! 186 !! 2,072 !! 11.1 !! 87 !! 5
|}

==Post-NFL life==
===Financial difficulties===
When Sims retired from the [[Detroit Lions]] in 1984, he received a $1.9 million insurance settlement from [[Lloyd's of London]], in addition to several million dollars he earned during his playing career.<ref name=wealth>Hailey, Gary. [http://naptimehuddle.blogspot.com/2012/10/billy-sims-bankruptcy-bouncing-back-and.html "Billy Sims: Bankruptcy, Bouncing Back...and BBQ."] ''Naptime Huddle'', October 24, 2012. Retrieved November 22, 2014.</ref> Sims lost his accumulated wealth through a series of failed business ventures. His numerous businesses included a nightclub, a radio station, a dry cleaner, and a car parts manufacturer.

====Selling the Heisman====
In 1995, he sold his [[Heisman Trophy]] to Texas businessman Bob White, who had been a father figure to Sims since he was in the ninth grade; White's son played high school football with Sims.<ref name=school>Taylor, Jeff. [https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19980329/2742147/a-most-desperate-option-play-sims-once-sold-his-heisman "A Most Desperate Option Play: Sims Once Sold His Heisman."] [[The Seattle Times]], March 29, 1998. Retrieved November 22, 2014.</ref> The trophy was sold to White with the agreement that it could be re-purchased by Sims by paying the original price plus 8.5% interest.<ref>[http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/sfc/2001-03-07-sims.htm "Sims still getting hit hard."] [[USA Today]], March 7, 2001. Retrieved November 22, 2014.</ref>

==Recognition==
In 2007, a bronze statue of Sims was dedicated on the University of Oklahoma campus in Heisman Park, commemorating his 1978 award.<ref>[http://www.visitnorman.com/attractions/sports/heisman-park/ "Heisman Park."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202054733/http://www.visitnorman.com/attractions/sports/heisman-park/ |date=December 2, 2014 }} ''www.visitnorman.com.'' Retrieved November 20, 2014.</ref> The [[Life sized statue|life and one half size]] statue was created by sculptor Jim Franklin in his studio in [[Perry, Oklahoma]].  The bronze was cast by the Bronze Horse Foundry in [[Pawhuska, Oklahoma]].

Sims has led a [[Boomer Sooner|"Boomer! Sooner!"]] chant at the Heisman Trophy presentation whenever a Sooner wins the trophy. He has done so for the four most recent Sooner winners, [[Jason White (American football)|Jason White]], [[Sam Bradford]], [[Baker Mayfield]], and [[Kyler Murray]]. He held up a sign reading "Boomer" during the 2009 Heisman ceremony.

In 1995, he was inducted into the [[College Football Hall of Fame]]. Sims is honored in [[Hooks, Texas]] with Billy Sims Road named in his honor. The local library displays a collection of his photos;<ref name=library>Richardson, Steve. [https://books.google.com/books?id=BhVMBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA26 100 Things Oklahoma Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die.] [[Chicago]]: [[Triumph Books]], 2014. {{ISBN|162937007X}}. [[Google Books]]. Retrieved November 22, 2014.</ref><ref name=road>Pasche, Paula. [https://books.google.com/books?id=QU6dtONZ4xoC&pg=PT84 100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die.] [[Chicago]]: [[Triumph Books]], 2012. {{ISBN|9781623680213}}. [[Google Books]]. Retrieved November 22, 2014.</ref> Sims said while at Oklahoma that he preferred his home town to big cities.{{r|martz19791128}} He maintains 30+ [[Billy Sims Barbecue]] restaurants franchises with co-founder Jeff Jackson.<ref name=bbq>[http://www.billysimsbbq.com/about-billy/ "About: Billy Sims BBQ."] ''www.billysimsbbq.com.'' Retrieved November 16, 2014.</ref> Before [[Joe Burrow]] was announced to win the 2019 Heisman, Sims yelled "Boomer", in hopes [[Jalen Hurts]] would win the [[Heisman Trophy]].

===Career accomplishments===
*High school ([[Hooks High School]], 1972–74, High School Coach: Jack Coleman)
** Consecutive 100-yard games: 38 (state record)
** Total 100-yard games: 38
** Total points: 516
** Carries-season: 441 (1973; 378 in 1974)
** Rushing yards in a seasons: 3,080 (1973; 2,885 in 1974)
** Career carries: 1,128
** Total yards: 7,738
*Collegiate
** Two-time All-American ([[1978 College Football All-America Team|1978]], [[1979 College Football All-America Team|1979]])
** 1978 [[Heisman Trophy]] Winner
** 1978 [[Walter Camp Award]]
** 1978 AP & [[United Press International|UPI]] College Player of the Year
** 1978 [[UPI College Football Player of the Year|UPI Player of the Year]]
** 1978 [[Sporting News College Football Player of the Year|Sporting News Player of the Year]]
** 1978 [[Chic Harley Award|Harley Award Winner]]
** 1979 Heisman Runner-Up
** Orange Bowl Hall of Fame Trophy
** Big Eight Player of the Year (1978, 1979)
** Career carries: 538
** Rushing yards per-carry: 7.1
** Total yards: 4,118 (4,041 rushing; 3,890 regular season; 3,813 rushing – 77 receiving)
** Touchdowns: 52 (50 rushing)
** Total points: 312 (126 in 1978, 132 in 1979)
*NFL
** 3-Time Pro-Bowl selection
** 32nd – NFL All-Time Rushing Yards Per-Carry (4.515)
** 75th, along with [[Calvin Hill]] & [[Don Perkins]], – NFL All-Time Rushing Touchdowns (42)
** 135th – NFL All-Time Rushing Yardage (5,106)
** 1st player to score 3 touchdowns in first NFL game.<ref>{{cite web|title=NFL First Game Records|url=http://goldenrankings.com/dazzlingdebuts2.htm#nflfirstgamerecords|work=goldenrankings.com|access-date=August 7, 2013}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of NCAA Division I FBS running backs with at least 50 career rushing touchdowns]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* {{College Football HoF|2289}}
* {{Heisman|billy-sims}}
* {{Footballstats |nfl=billy-sims |espn= |cbs= |yahoo= |fox= |si= |pfr=S/SimsBi00 |rotoworld= }}
* {{YouTube|id=43Sa7Yfb7Lo|NFL Films Presents – Billy Sims: The Forgotten Legend}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Billy Sims—awards, championships, and honors
| list =
{{Mr. Football USA}}
{{1975 Oklahoma Sooners football navbox}}
{{1978 NCAA Division I College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{1979 NCAA Division I-A College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{Heisman Winners}}
{{Walter Camp Award}}
{{Sporting News College Football Player of the Year}}
{{UPI College Football Player of the Year}}
{{NFL NumberOne Draft Picks}}
{{1980 NFL Draft}}
{{Lions1980DraftPicks}}
{{Detroit Lions retired numbers}}
{{Lions75th}}
{{Detroit Lions All-Time Team}}
{{LionsFirstPick}}
{{AP Offensive Rookies of the Year}}
{{NFL rushing touchdowns leaders}}
}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sims, Billy}}
[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:All-American college football players]]
[[Category:American football running backs]]
[[Category:College Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Detroit Lions players]]
[[Category:Heisman Trophy winners]]
[[Category:National Conference Pro Bowl players]]
[[Category:First overall NFL draft picks]]
[[Category:NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year winners]]
[[Category:NFL players with retired numbers]]
[[Category:Oklahoma Sooners football players]]
[[Category:People from Hooks, Texas]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Bowie County, Texas]]
[[Category:Players of American football from St. Louis]]
[[Category:Walter Camp Award winners]]