During the festival, there will be appearances by six nationally know celebrities! Henry “The Fonz” winkler, Billy Sims, Herman Moore, and three playboy playmates.
At the appearances, you’ll be able to meet and mingle with the celebrities! On Friday July 23, don’t’ miss your chance to meet former Lion football players Billy Sims and Herman Moore from 1 – 3 p.m. at the main festival area!
BILLY SIMS
Billy Sims (born September 18, 1955 in St. Louis, Missouri) is a former college football and NFL running back. He won the Heisman Award and the Davey O'Brien Memorial Trophy.
Sims grew up in St. Louis, but in the eighth grade he moved to Hooks, Texas, to live with his grandmother. 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). He continues to hold the state record for most consecutive games with 100 yards or more, 38 (1972-1974).
In 1975, he was recruited to the University of Oklahoma by Barry Switzer. After injuries kept him out of the line-up for most of his freshman and half of his sophomore seasons (rushing for only 545 yards in two seasons plus one game of 1976), in his junior season he cut loose, picking up 1,762 yards on 231 carries for an amazing average of 7.6 yards per carry (160.1 yards and 10.9 points per-game) for the regular season. Including the post-season Sims had 1,896 yards, a total yardage school record that stood until 2004 when freshman Adrian Peterson tallied up 1,925. In 1978 Sims was awarded the Heisman Trophy, becoming only the sixth junior to do so. He was runner up the following season in 1979. He led the nation in rushing with 1,896 yards and had 22 touchdowns. He also became the first running back in Big 8 Conference (now merged to form the Big 12 Conference) history to rush for 200-yards in three consecutive games, and had four 200-yard games in a single season.
After losing to the University of Arkansas 31-6 in 1978, Sims led the Sooners to two consecutive Orange Bowl titles in three straight appearances. In the Orange Bowl following the 1978 season, he scored two touchdowns in a 31-24 win over the University of Nebraska. In 1979 against then-unbeaten Nebraska, who had the No. 1 rushing defense in the country at the time, Sims ran for 247 yards and helped the Sooners to a 17-14 win. In his final game as a Sooner, he helped defeat Florida State University, 24-7, rushing for 164 yards. He ended his career at OU with 3,813 yards; most of those yards came in his final two seasons.
Sims was the first overall pick in the 1980 NFL Draft. He spent five years with the Detroit Lions, making the Pro Bowl in 1980, 1981, and 1982. Sims led the Lions to the playoffs in 1982 and 1983 but they lost in the first round both times. Sims finished his career with 1131 carries for 5106 yards (4.5 yards per carry), and 186 receptions for 2072 yards (11.1 yards per catch). His career ended midway through the 1984 season when he suffered a knee injury in a game against the Minnesota Vikings. Sims remains a beloved former sports figure in Detroit, where his number 20 would be worn five years after his retirement by Barry Sanders. 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 NFL Films the highlight, rather than be tackled during a rushing attempt, Billy ran at, jumped, and drop-kicked the Oiler's tackler.
He now serves as a vice president with AmericaCan, a non-profit organization, and licenses the use of his name to Billy Sims Barbecue. Sims also makes appearances for sports marketing firms.
HERMAN MOORE
Herman Joseph Moore (born October 20, 1969 in Danville, Virginia, USA) is a former American National Football League wide receiver. At George Washington High School in Danville he played mostly as a kicker and also as a tight end. He went to the University of Virginia, where he was a 2-sport athlete. He ranks second all-time in career receptions and holds the school record in the high jump. Moore's college jersey number was 87.
Moore was drafted in the first round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, where he enjoyed a great deal of success. He was selected to four Pro Bowls, from 1994 to 1997. He was the second player (after Jerry Rice) to have three 100-catch seasons. Also in 1995, Moore and teammate Brett Perriman (108 catches) became the first WR duo to each catch more than 100 receptions in the same season. In his highly successful 1995 season Moore caught a career high 123 balls (an NFL record at the time). In 1998, Herman Moore received the inaugural All-Iron Award for his performance in the Thanksgiving game.
Moore finished his 12 NFL seasons with 670 receptions for 9,174 yards and 62 touchdowns.
Herman Moore holds NFL records for both receptions (61) and receiving yards (965) on Thursday games.
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