Yesterday for day 45 we highlighted a long snapper from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Now today for day 44, we highlight an eccentric personality that laid hits in Norman, Oklahoma.
The Boz, Brian Bosworth was born in Oklahoma City and played for MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas. He chose to cross stateliness from Texas and play for the Oklahoma University Boomer Sooners.
Bosworth made a splash in Norman where he played from 1984 to 1986. His wild haircuts along with his hatred for the NCAA, the National Communists Against Athletes “Welcome to Russia”, earned the Boz a lot of buzz and publicity. Not all was good.
Under coach Barry Switzer, Bosworth won a handful of accolades. He was named three time All Big Eight from 1984 to 1986, All American in 1985 and 1986, won the 1985 and 1986 Butkus Award, was a part of the 1985 National Title team, and was a Heisman Trophy Finalist in 1986.
In 1987, Bosworth and two of his Sooner teammates were suspended from the Orange Bowl for testing positive for anabolic steroids.
After Bosworth left Oklahoma, in 1988 he wrote the autobiography The Boz with Rick Reilly from Sports Illustrated. In the book, Bosworth exposed the gun play, drug use, and extreme behavior of the Sooners locker room and dorms. The charges were dismissed by Switzer but when an investigation was launched, Switzer was forced to resign.
Number 44 changed his number to 55 when the Seahawks drafted him in the 1987 supplemental draft. He didn’t last long in the league as he played for Seattle from 1987 to 1989.
A shoulder injury forced the Boz to retire from football. His career will always be remembered by the play of Bo Jackson trucking him into the end zone for a touchdown.
For tomorrow on day 43, we’ll highlight a dynamic running back, receiver, and kick return who played his college ball in the middle of America.