Fansided

25 Heisman Trophy winners with the best NFL careers

By John Buhler

DETROIT - DECEMBER 23: Barry Sanders smiles from the sideline during the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions on December 23, 2007 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo byGregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT - DECEMBER 23: Barry Sanders smiles from the sideline during the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions on December 23, 2007 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo byGregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 7: Running Back Billy Sims No. 20 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL football game at Anaheim Stadium September 7, 1980 in Anaheim, California. Sims played for the Lions from 1980-84. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 7: Running Back Billy Sims No. 20 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL football game at Anaheim Stadium September 7, 1980 in Anaheim, California. Sims played for the Lions from 1980-84. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
17

Billy Sims

Running Back, Oklahoma Sooners (1978)

Former Oklahoma Sooners running back and 1978 Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims had one of the best, but short-lived NFL careers. Sims was one of the first juniors to win the Heisman back in 1978. He would return to Norman in 1979 before being drafted No. 1 overall by the Detroit Lions in the 1980 NFL Draft.

Sims would make three trips to the Pro Bowl in his first three years in the league. He would win Rookie of the Year in 1980 and be an All-Pro in 1981 with the Lions. Sims was certainly on pace for a Hall of Fame career before that all got derailed for good in 1984.

He would suffer a career-ending knee injury in a divisional rivalry game against the Minnesota Vikings midway through the year. Sims would try to make a comeback with the Lions in 1989, but the team had no interest. That’s probably because Detroit just drafted 1988 Heisman winner Barry Sanders out of Oklahoma State.

Sims would finish his brief, but brilliant NFL career with 5,106 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns. As a pass catcher, he had 2,072 receiving yards on 186 catches for five touchdowns. It was a shame to see Sims’ career be cut so short in the midst of his prime. Had he stayed healthy, he’d be in Canton for sure.

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