Professional Career
Sims was the first overall pick in the 1980 NFL Draft. He spent his only five years in the NFL 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 would go on to lose in the first round in both appearances. The 1983 Wild Card Game was perhaps most disappointing. At Candlestick Park against the San Francisco 49ers, Sims ran for 114 yards on 20 carries, but Joe Montana would go on to lead the 49ers to a comeback victory, as Detroit kicker Eddie Murray missed a field goal in the waning moments.
Sims career would ultimately end midway through the 1984 season when he suffered a catastrophic knee injury in a game against the Minnesota Vikings. Sims finished his short professional career with 1131 carries for 5106 yards (4.5 yards per carry), and 186 receptions for 2072 yards (11.1 yards per catch). Sims remains a beloved former sports figure in Detroit. 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.
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. In the NFL Films highlight, rather than be tackled during a rushing attempt, Sims ran at, jumped, and, while fully airborne, kicked the Oiler's tackler in the head.
Read more about this topic: Billy Sims
Famous quotes containing the words professional and/or career:
“As a scientist I’m afraid I’m a professional skeptic who doubts everything, even the certainties.”
—Karl Brown (1897–1990)
“I’ve been in the twilight of my career longer than most people have had their career.”
—Martina Navratilova (b. 1956)