Former Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford was awarded the 2008 Heisman Trophy after a spectacular sophomore season in which he guided the Sooners to an FBS single-season record of 702 points and threw for a video-game like 48 TDs (against just six INTs).
When it was announced that Bradford had won the award, the focus was expected to be squarely on him. Instead, it honed in on an overly boisterous former Heisman winner – one who had won the award 30 years before, also on behalf of the Sooners.
Former RB Billy Sims was genuinely excited for Bradford, hence his repeated cries of “Boomer!” (11 in all) to which Bradford awkwardly replied, “Sooner!” But even though he didn’t mean to, Sims upstaged Bradford.
“I apologize to the Bradford family and the Heisman Trust if I crossed a boundary,” Sims later said after his enthusiasm came under fire. “Sam’s dad, Kent, was a teammate of mine and was part of my Heisman season. That’s why I was so happy for Sam.”
Today, Sims is retired to his hometown of Hooks, TX, while lending his name to the Billy Sims BBQ franchise. Bradford, meanwhile, is approaching the end of his third season as the starting QB of the St. Louis Rams.
The 78th Heisman Trophy will be awarded in New York on Saturday night. Billy Sims profile | Sam Bradford profile
