This Heisman Trophy Winner Will Visit Shreveport In 2024

Shreveport's comic con, Geek'd Con, is coming back this August. The dates are August 16-18 at the Shreveport Convention Center. The event usually draws thousands of fans from around the country to meet and greet their favorite stars from movies, TV, and video games.

But this year, Geek'd Con is expanding to include a new event.

In 2024 the Shreveport Sports Card Expo will also be a part of Geek'd Con at the Shreveport Convention Center. The Sports Card Expo will happen at the exact same time as Geek'd Con, and will take place in the Captain Shreve Ballroom.

Part of the Sports Card Expo will be athletes coming to the event to sign autographs for fans. One of those athletes is Heisman Trophy winner, and the #1 overall pick in the 1980 NFL Draft, Billy Sims.

Sims won the 1978 Heisman Trophy while playing a Oklahoma. While playing college football at Oklahoma, Sims won a National Championship, was a 2-time unanimous All American, Sporting News Player of the Year, Davey O'Brien Award Winner, and rushed for over 5,000 yards.

His college football accomplishments earned him enshrinement in the College Football Hall of Fame.

After he finished his college career, Sims became the #1 overall draft pick in the 1980 NFL Draft. He was selected by the Detroit Lions, and would immediately impact the league. Sims won the 1980 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, and was named Second Team All Pro, led the NFL in rushing touchdowns, and was a Pro Bowl player, his first year. In his second season, Sims was named First Team All Pro, and made the Pro Bowl again.

Even though his NFL career was cut short with an injury, Sims was named to the Detroit Lions All Time Team, 75th Anniversary Team, and his jersey number has been retired by the team.

Sims will be a part of the 2024 Shreveport Sports Card Expo, and you can find more details here.