Dave Matthews
Woodward News
Woodward, Okla. —
Saturday afternoon hundreds of University of Oklahoma football fans attended an autograph signing at Southgate United Supermarket featuring Sooner Heisman Trophy Winners Steve Owens (1969), Billy Sims (1978), and Jason White (2003).
United Store Manager Phil Creecy said it was an honor to have Heisman winners at the store.
“I think autograph signing is spectacular. The signing is also good for the store and the Woodward community,” Creecy said, noting the turnout was more than expected.
All the fans in attendance were full of energy throughout the signing.
“It’s cool to see the past and present generation of OU Heisman winners together in one place.” Shane Thompson said. “All 3 are nice guys and it was a privilege to get to meet and talk with them.”
Lisa Baker said she thought it was awesome of the Heisman winners to take the time and meet fans in the smaller communities.
“It was amazing to meet them all and it just shows how awesome OU and its fans are,” Baker said.
Bryan Stephenson said it was a fantastic experience to meet the OU Heisman Trophy Winners.
Stephenson was 10-years old when his grandfather took him to his first OU football game and from that point on he became a diehard Sooner fan.
“When I was younger Billy Sims was my football idol,” Stephenson said.
Stephenson added, it was fantastic for them to spread the Sooner Nation to our little corner of the world.
“The Sooner legends spending time with the fans is awesome and gets me pumped up for the season,” Stephenson said.
Not only were fans excited, but so were the stars of the show.
Owens said the signing in Woodward was a great experience.
“The Sooner fans are the greatest in the world,” Owens said.
As the oldest of the 3 Heisman winners, Owens said it is his responsibility to make sure they stay together and do the autograph signings.
“I was there when Jason and Billy won the Heisman Trophy and I consider us to be family,” Owens said, adding the trio did about 70 autograph signings last year.
White said he thinks Heisman winners are part of a unique group.
“It’s very rare you see Heisman winners get together for autograph signings like this,” White said. “And it’s not often that something like this takes place in Woodward and it was a great experience to meet the fans.”
While approaching the autograph table, Sims came out yelling “Boomer” to get a response of “Sooner” from the fans.
“I am still full of football energy and thats never going to change,” Sims said, adding all of the autograph signings are fun.
“It was a great experience and I appreciate all the fans who came to the signing,” Sims said..
Sims, Owens and White comprise 3 of the 5 Heisman Trophy winners from OU. The others are the late Billy Vessels (1952) and Sam Bradford (2008), who is expected to be the starting quarterback for the St. Louis Rams this season.
