Billy Sims (Sort of) Apologizes for Being Obnoxious at Heisman Ceremony

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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