A statue honoring Billy Simms’ legacy and contribution to the greatness of the Oklahoma Sooners will be erected at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, according to ESPN.

In a move that reverberates through the storied halls of college football, the University of Oklahoma is set to immortalize one of its most legendary athletes. A statue honoring Billy Sims—Heisman Trophy winner, Oklahoma Sooners icon, and embodiment of football greatness—will soon grace the grounds of Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, according to ESPN.

The announcement has sparked celebration not just in Norman, but across the college football world, where Sims’ name still commands respect decades after his final collegiate snap. More than just a statue, this tribute is a testament to a player whose speed, power, and unrelenting drive helped define an era of Oklahoma football dominance.

Billy Sims is a name etched into the DNA of Oklahoma football. His story is one of resilience, redemption, and raw talent molded into historic greatness. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised in Hooks, Texas, Sims didn’t arrive in Norman with the fanfare that usually surrounds future Heisman winners. Injuries plagued his early years at OU, and it wasn’t until his junior season in 1978 that he exploded onto the national scene.

And explode he did.

That year, Sims rushed for a staggering 1,762 yards and 20 touchdowns, leading the Sooners to an 11-1 season and earning himself the most prestigious individual award in college football—the Heisman Trophy. He became Oklahoma’s second winner of the award, following in the footsteps of Steve Owens (1969), and cemented his place among the greatest ever to wear the crimson and cream.

Sims returned for his senior season in 1979, adding another 1,506 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns to his résumé. Though he finished second in Heisman voting to Charles White of USC, he had already built a legacy that would echo for generations.

By the end of his college career, Sims held the school record for most career rushing yards (4,118) and rushing touchdowns (53), records that stood for years. His blend of agility and brute strength made him almost unstoppable in Barry Switzer’s wishbone offense, and he helped guide Oklahoma to back-to-back Big Eight titles during his Heisman-caliber seasons.

For many Oklahoma fans, the decision to erect a statue of Sims outside the stadium feels long overdue. His achievements on the field, combined with his enduring loyalty to the program, made him a natural choice to join the pantheon of Sooner legends already honored in bronze—including Owens, Jason White, Sam Bradford, and Baker Mayfield.

Joe Castiglione, Oklahoma’s athletic director, called the statue “a celebration of Billy’s indelible impact on the University of Oklahoma and the game of college football.” In a statement released with the news, Castiglione added, “Billy Sims represents the standard of excellence that defines this program. He’s not just a Heisman winner—he’s a symbol of perseverance, character, and greatness.”

According to ESPN, the statue will be unveiled during the 2025 football season, with a ceremony planned to coincide with a high-profile home game, ensuring thousands of fans can be part of the moment.

Sims, now 70, responded to the announcement with characteristic humility. “I’m just a kid from East Texas who loved playing football,” he said. “To think my name will be remembered this way—it means more than I can say. I’m grateful to my teammates, my coaches, and the fans who’ve stood by me all these years.”

Sims’ contribution to Oklahoma goes beyond statistics and highlight reels. He has remained a fixture in the Sooner community, often appearing at games and alumni events, proudly wearing his signature OU cowboy hat and flashing the infectious smile that made him a fan favorite.

After his college career, Sims was selected No. 1 overall in the 1980 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. He went on to rush for over 5,100 yards in just five seasons, earning three Pro Bowl selections before a devastating knee injury cut his professional career short. But he never let the injury define him.

Instead, Sims reinvented himself as a businessman and ambassador. He launched “Billy Sims BBQ,” a restaurant chain that now operates in multiple states, blending his love of football, food, and entrepreneurship. He also became a vocal supporter of collegiate athletes and regularly returned to Norman to mentor younger players.

“Billy never forgot where he came from,” said former head coach Barry Switzer. “He’s the kind of player and person that built the foundation of what OU football is today.”

Statues are more than monuments—they’re statements. They say, “This person mattered. This legacy endures.” For Oklahoma, the addition of Billy Sims’ likeness to the lineup outside the stadium is a powerful message to generations past, present, and future: greatness is achieved through passion, perseverance, and commitment.

For younger fans who know the names of recent OU stars but may not have seen Sims play, the statue will serve as a reminder of the school’s deep-rooted football heritage. It also adds historical weight to a program that continues to chase national championships and produce NFL talent.

And for Sims himself, the statue represents a full-circle moment in a journey that began more than 45 years ago.

“I was just trying to help my team win games,” Sims said. “I didn’t think about records or trophies. I just ran the ball. That’s what I loved to do.”

Sims’ legacy transcends generations, influencing not only those who watched him play but also inspiring younger athletes who wear the Sooner uniform today. His running style—violent yet smooth, instinctive yet deliberate—became the prototype for what an Oklahoma back should be.

Players like Adrian Peterson, DeMarco Murray, and Rodney Anderson have all spoken about the standard Sims set, even as they forged their own paths. His name remains a benchmark for greatness in Norman.

“You can’t talk about Oklahoma running backs without mentioning Billy Sims first,” said Peterson in a 2016 interview. “He’s the OG. He laid the foundation for all of us.”

Even outside the realm of football, Sims has become a cultural figure, known for his frequent chants of “Boomer!” and his consistent presence at college football events. He’s as much a part of the game day experience in Norman as the Pride of Oklahoma marching band.

The process of commissioning and constructing the statue has reportedly been underway for months. According to sources familiar with the project, a renowned sculptor with experience in sports monuments has been selected, and early renderings show Sims in his iconic No. 20 jersey, mid-stride, carrying the ball with purpose.

The statue will be placed in Heisman Park, a dedicated area just outside the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium that celebrates OU’s Heisman Trophy winners. It’s a fitting location, surrounded by fellow greats and within reach of the fans who helped build the legend.

“There’s no better place than right there on game day,” said Castiglione. “The fans who grew up watching Billy, who remember those incredible runs against Nebraska and Texas, will now have a place to come and reflect on his greatness.”

As the Sooners prepare to transition into the SEC—a move set to redefine the program’s national profile—honoring the legends of the past becomes even more important. The Billy Sims statue is a bridge between eras, linking the championship traditions of the past with the bold ambitions of the future.

For head coach Brent Venables, recognizing Sims’ legacy is part of building a culture that respects its roots. “You don’t move forward without honoring where you came from,” Venables said. “Billy Sims helped put Oklahoma football on the map. His story still resonates with every player who walks through our locker room.”

The unveiling ceremony, which is expected to draw thousands of fans and former players, will undoubtedly be one of the most emotional moments of the 2025 season. It’s not just about football—it’s about a community coming together to celebrate one of its greatest sons.

Statues are cast in bronze, but the legacies they represent are forged in blood, sweat, and glory. Billy Sims gave everything he had to Oklahoma football. He gave it in the weight room, on the practice field, under the Saturday lights, and in the lives of countless fans he’s touched through his humility and charisma.

Now, the Sooners are giving something back—a permanent reminder that heroes live forever.

Billy Sims once ran wild on college football’s biggest stages. Soon, he’ll stand still, in bronze, forever frozen in greatness—right where he belongs.