Brian Bosworth Highlights

Brian Bosworth played from 1984 to 1986. He was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American in 1985 and again in 1986.

Known for his radical hairstyles and criticism of the NCAA as much as his on-field play, Bosworth embraced publicity and controversy. On more than one occasion Bosworth referred to the NCAA as the "National Communists Against Athletes." He wore a T-shirt bearing that slogan during the 1987 Orange Bowl game following the 1986 season. Barred from playing in the game because of a positive steroid test, Bosworth unveiled the shirt while standing on the sidelines to the shock and outrage of many, including his own coach, Barry Switzer. He claimed that his use of steroids was medically prescribed by his doctor because of his injuries. While Switzer was known for running a loose ship, this incident was too much even for him, and he dismissed Bosworth from the team.

A strong-side inside linebacker throughout his college career, Bosworth was known for raising his level of play in big games. He was regarded as a great tackler, although he was occasionally criticized for tackling too high. The winner of the first two Butkus Awards as the nation's top college linebacker, he remains the only player ever to have won the accolade more than once. College Football News ranked him No. 30 on its list of the "100 Greatest College Players of All-Time." In October 1999, Bosworth was named to the Sports Illustrated NCAA Football All-Century Team as one of only nine linebackers on the squad.

In addition to his athletic accomplishments, Bosworth was a good student, graduating a year early and thus becoming eligible for the NFL's supplemental draft.

In September 1988, Bosworth wrote an autobiography, The Boz, with Sports Illustrated's Rick Reilly. In it, Bosworth said the Sooner football program was laden with drug use, gun play in the athletic dorm, and other wild behavior. Although many Sooner boosters dismissed it as the rantings of a resentful ex-player, an NCAA report issued three months later confirmed many of Bosworth's claims, and ultimately led to Switzer being forced to resign.

Bosworth and two of his University of Oklahoma teammates were barred from playing in the Orange Bowl game against Arkansas on January 1, 1987 because they tested positive for anabolic steroids. The ruling was made by the NCAA, which instituted tests for some championship events and football bowl games that year in an effort to prevent the use of over 100 banned generic drugs. (Source: Wikipedia)

Brian Bosworth Stats