His number "20" would go on to be 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 Hall of Fame defensive back Lem Barney.
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In three years of varsity football at Hooks High School, he rushed 1,128 times (a state record at the time, 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).
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He was given the nickname "Kung Fu Billy Sims" by ESPN's Chris Berman, after a game where the Detroit Lions played the Houston Oilers.
Billy Sims-(born September 18, 1955 in St. Louis, Missouri) is a former college football and NFL running back.
Narrated by the University of Oklahoma graduate and 3-time Oscar nominee Ed Harris, The Oklahoma Heismen tells the story of the Oklahoma Sooners Heisman Trophy winners Billy Vessels, Steve Owens, Billy Sims, and Jason White as they go from small-town America into the winners of college football's greatest individual prize.
Billy Joel | Billy Wilder | Billy Crystal | Billy Bob Thornton | Billy Taylor | Billy Hart | Billy Connolly | Billy Bragg | Billy Idol | Billy Cobham | Billy Preston | Billy Ray Cyrus | Billy Graham | Billy Eckstine | Billy Budd | Billy the Kid | Billy Sunday | The Sims | Billy Mitchell | Billy Zane | Billy Squier | Billy Martin | Billy Corgan | Billy Ocean | Billy Joe Shaver | Billy Meredith | Billy West | Billy Hughes | Billy Elliot | Billy Daniels |