April 29: Hooks native Billy Sims was the first pick in the NFL draft

Published 5:00 am Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Billy Sims, of Hooks, was picked first in the NFL draft on this date in 1980.

He set state records as a running back in high school and at the University of Oklahoma. 

He won the Heisman Trophy in 1978. Sims was drafted by the Detroit Lions and was named to the Pro Bowl as one of pro football’s best.

More recently he established a foundation that helps student athletes attend college.

In the Spotlight

— 2019: Brady Smith, who attended Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, is a guest on “Good Morning America.”

— 2018: Marshall native Brea Grant appears in a guest role on “The Arrangement.”

— 2018: At the Daytime Emmy Awards, Greg Vaughan, who grew up in Mesquite, wins Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for playing Eric Brady on “Days of Our Lives.”

— 2017: Cody Pottkotter, a native of Tyler, plays a detective in an episode of “Murder Made Me Famous.” 

— 2016: Shea Whigham, who attended Tyler Junior College, stars in “Term Life” with Vince Vaughn and Hailee Steinfeld. 

— 2008: Jacksonville native Deborah Yates voices the character Sara in the video game “Grand Theft Auto IV.”

— 2007: “The Air I Breathe,” starring Longview native Forest Whitaker, debuts at the Tribeca Film Festival.

— 2006: “Last of a Dying Breed” by Longview’s Neal McCoy, peaks at No. 35 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

— 2006:  Joe Nichols, of Tyler, is a guest on “CMT Insider.”

— 2004: Terrell native Jamie Foxx is a guest on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.”

— 2003: Rusk native Caroline Williams has a guest role on “NYPD Blue.”

— 2003: Nathan Burgess, of Tyler, has a guest role on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”

— 1997: Donna Bullock, who attended Tyler Junior College, has a guest role on “Frasier.”

— 1989: Jacksonville native Tommy Hollis has a guest role on “The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd.”

— 1988: The Oak Ridge Boys, featuring Lamar County native Duane Allen, appear on the “TNN Viewers’ Choice Awards.”

— 1988: Richard Bradford, who was born in Tyler, is seen in “Sunset” starring Bruce Willis and James Garner.

— 1975: Mineola native Noble Willingham has a starring role in the movie “Aloha, Bobby and Rose.”

— 1973: Honey Grove native Bill Erwin has a guest role on “Barnaby Jones” starring Buddy Ebsen.”

— 1962: At the Tony Awards, Texarkana native Joshua Logan is a nominee for Best Director of a Musical (“All American”).

— 1961” Honey Grove native Bill Erwin is seen in an episode of “Perry Mason” starring Raymond Burr.

— 1928: Corsicana native Mary Brian and Arthur Lake star in the silent film “Harold Teen.”

Happy Birthday

— 1928: Carl Gardner is born in Tyler. He became the lead singer of The Coasters, which had big hits in the 1950s and 1960s.