Billy Sims Weighs in on Mayfield, Westbrook

NEW YORK ? Heisman Trophy finalists Baker Mayfield and Dede Westbrook got their first taste of New York City on Friday after arriving at their Times Square hotel.?A lunch in the heart of Manhattan was followed by a visit with the media, a two-hour bus tour of the city and a Heisman welcome reception that included former winners such as Marcus Allen, Ron Dayne, Tony Dorsett, Johnny Rodgers, George Rodgers, Mike Rozier and Charles Woodson.

Mayfield and Westbrook weren't the only Sooners in attendance at the evening gathering of more than 100 guests. Billy Sims, the 1978 winner, was also on hand to welcome this year's finalists.

Sims, one of five OU Heisman Trophy winners, rushed for 1,896 yards and 22 touchdowns in 1978 as a redshirt junior. His rushing yards set a Big Eight record, and he averaged an eye-popping 7.4 yards per run on his 256 carries.

Sims took time out at Friday's reception to weigh in on the accomplishments of Mayfield, Westbrook and the 2016 Sooners in the following Q&A.

Q: How much of the Sooners have you seen this year and what are your thoughts on what Baker and Dede have done?
Sims: "I see all the games. Sometimes I watch them with Coach (Barry) Switzer. I'm just glad Texas Tech didn't give Baker a scholarship and that OU did. This guy is a player. He definitely could have played with me back in the day, I guarantee you.

"And Dede Westbrook, I mean; I knew something was wrong with him (physically early in the year), but once he got well, he took it to another level. I just hate that he's a senior this year. But I'm glad that Mayfield is coming back. So hopefully he can talk to those other guys ? those running backs we've got ? (and convince them to do the same).

1978 Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims with Dede Westbrook Friday night in New York.

"Samaje Perine, he would have already broken my record this year had he not gotten hurt, but he's going to break it (in the Sugar Bowl) in his sleep. And Joe Mixon, he's another great back; the offensive line, the whole team. What a great year with Coach (Bob) Stoops. Coach Stoops and I, we go way back. He was a freshman (at Iowa) when he played against me in Norman. He's got a great coaching staff and those guys are doing a great job of recruiting and reloading. They had a great season and are finishing strong."

Q: What do you think the chances of Mayfield or Westbrook winning the Heisman on Saturday?
"I've been coming here to the ceremony since '86 after I retired from the (Detroit) Lions, and I'm just so happy they got a chance to come here this year. Baker should have been here last year. I'm thinking, 'What happened?' But anyway, they're here, and who knows who's going to win it. I don't know. As a former player and a winner, I get three votes on my ballot and two of them went to those guys. You can believe that. There could be some surprises on Saturday, you never know."

Q: What do you remember about winning the Heisman in 1978?
"In '78, I had no idea I was going to win the Heisman. I wasn't even in the running for it. I was finally healthy for a change, and had a great supporting cast. Greg Roberts, my roommate who won the Outland Trophy, tight end Victor Hicks blocking for me. We were pretty salty back in those days. At the beginning of the season they were pushing (quarterback) Thomas Lott and (running back) Kenny King. I hadn't shown anything. But I was healthy, some things changed and lo and behold I ended up winning it. And I almost won it the next year. You just never know how those things are going to turn out sometimes."

Baker Mayfield with Billy Sims.

Q: What do you like about Baker on the field?
"His control and command of the game as a quarterback. He's a fearless player. When he's out there you just know he's going to make something happen. He's got 'it.' He's got 'it.' I mean he's a player. And he can definitely play at the next level. They talk about his height, and I think about (former Washington Redskins quarterback) Joe Theismann. Joe wasn't as tall as Baker. So it's not about the height. You never can judge a guy's heart. He's got a lot of heart in him, no question about it."

Q: How about Westbrook?
"(Laughing) Dede? Oh man. This guy's unreal. Just think if he wasn't hurt at the beginning of the season. Some of those games would have turned out different, I know for a fact. Without a doubt. He's unreal. Whoever gets him in the pros next year has something coming. He's ready for that next level.

"But that's Oklahoma. You recruit the next guy who's going to take the last guy's place. That's always been the case. I missed my whole sophomore year and they didn't stop playing football at Oklahoma."

Q: You were visiting with Westbrook for several minutes. What did you talk about?
"I was just telling him about my recruitment to OU. When I got recuited by Coach Switzer, it was always about life after football. I understand that now. I'm 61 years old. The cheers are gone, the crowds are gone. And my head coach still cares about me some 40 years later. Man, that's impeccable. And not just me. I'm talking about hundreds of players who played for him. He treats us the same way to this day. I know, I've been around him. He's no fake; he's real. And that was the most important thing that changed my mind from going to Baylor University and committing to the University of Oklahoma."

Billy Sims Weighs in on Mayfield, Westbrook

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Baker Mayfield

Joe Mixon

Joe Mixon

Samaje Perine

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Dede Westbrook

Dede Westbrook

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Billy Sims Weighs in on Mayfield, Westbrook

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