Charity Spotlight: The Billy Sims Foundation
Billy Sims knows the value of hard work.
Though he was born in bustling St. Louis, Sims spent his teen years living with his grandparents in the much slower-paced, rural confines of Hooks, Texas. The future All-American running back kept himself busy by working several odd jobs. He shoveled manure, chopped hay, hauled cotton and worked at a gas station. No job was beneath the hyperkinetic Sims. After football games on Friday night, he’d even come in the the next day to help clean the stadium.
Sims natural athleticism combined with that work ethic to help him become an incredible high school running back. Soon he was being courted by colleges all around the country. He eventually decided on Oklahoma, where he went on to win the 1978 Heisman Trophy. He’s one of only six Heisman winners who also finished as a Heisman runner up, so you might say he came relatively close to winning two trophies.
Not everyone has the talent to go to college on a full football ride, so Sims created The Billy Sims Foundation, which helps hard-working Oklahoma student-athletes attend university. The foundation, founded in 2011, is one of the many charities supported by the Heisman Trophy Trust.
“I knew, growing up, I was going to need a scholarship if I was ever going to go to college,” Sims said. “I have met many young athletes who come from the same background and I wanted to help them make it to college. They have the grades and determination to overcome any obstacle, I just want to do my part and help ease some of the burden on these deserving young men and women.”
Each year, Sims’ foundation awards two $3,000 scholarships to student athletes – one male and one female – to attend an Oklahoma university of their choice. To qualify, the students must go to school in Oklahoma, must have high achievement in academics and athletics and must have some level of community involvement. Scholarships can be credited to any college in the state of Oklahoma.
Sims has also forged a successful business career, co-founding a chain of barbecue restaurants called — what else? — BillySimsBBQ. With over 40 locations, it keeps the Sooner legend working as hard as ever. But he also finds ways to combine his business and charity endeavors.
A recent effort, called the Billy Sims Walk of Fame, will bring together athletes, fans and those who support the foundation’s scholarship mission. Donors can purchase bricks for the walk, which will pave the way to the new flagship location for the Billy Sims Barbecue at the Farm Shopping Center in Tulsa. If you are interested in contributing to the Walk of Fame, click here. For information about partnering with the Bill Sims Foundation, go here.
