Brian Bosworth
| No. 55 | |
|---|---|
| Career history | |
| Seattle Seahawks | |
Brian Keith Bosworth (also referred to as The Boz) (born March 9, 1965 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) is a former American football player. He was a linebacker for the University of Oklahoma (1984–1986) and the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (1987–1989).
High school career
He attended MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas.
College football career
Bosworth was a college standout at the University of Oklahoma, known for being brash and arrogant, and is considered by many to be among the most colorful college football players in history. Bosworth was known for raising his level of play in big games as well as being a great tackler, although he sometimes received criticism for tackling too high.
Also known for his then radical hairstyles, and criticism of the NCAA, Bosworth was never one to shy from publicity or controversy. On more than one occasion he referred to the NCAA as the "National Communists Against Athletes." He wore a shirt bearing that slogan during the 1987 Orange Bowl following the 1986 season. Banned from that game (which would turn out to be a 42-8 Sooner victory over Arkansas) because of steroid use, Bosworth unveiled the shirt while standing on the sidelines to the shock and outrage of many, including his own coach, Barry Switzer. "The Boz" was the winner of the first two Butkus Awards as the nation's top college linebacker, before being kicked off the Oklahoma Sooners football team for testing positive for steroids. He remains the only player ever to have won the Butkus Award more than once.
In addition to his athletic accomplishments, Bosworth was a good student, graduating with a B-average in business management from the University of Oklahoma. He actually graduated a year ahead of his freshman class, thus making him eligible for the NFL's supplemental draft.
Professional football career
Prior to his entry into the NFL supplemental draft, Bosworth had sent letters to various NFL teams stating that, if they drafted him, he wouldn't report to their training camp and he wouldn't play for them. As a joke, the Tacoma Stars of the Major Indoor Soccer League selected him in the 12th round in their 1987 draft because, as their general manager jokingly stated, "Because we didn't receive a letter from him that he wouldn't play for us."
Bosworth was drafted by the Seahawks in the 1987 supplemental draft, and signed what was both the biggest contract in team history and the biggest rookie contract in NFL history: 10 years for US$11 million. After being drafted by the Seahawks, Bosworth sued the NFL for the right to wear #44 (the number he wore in college). Bosworth lost the case and was forced to wear #55 in the pros. Despite playing his entire college career on the strong side, he was moved to the Seahawks' weak side. Contrary to popular belief, Bosworth did well during his short time with the Seahawks, leading the team in several defensive categories and making the NFL's All-Rookie Team in 1987. However, he also suffered one of his worst moments that same year in a Monday Night Football game when Bo Jackson of the Raiders ran into him and dragged him along to score a touchdown. A shoulder injury forced him to retire after only three seasons.
Although often remembered for his less than stellar professional career (in July 2004 he was named the 6th worst flop on the Biggest Flops of the Last 25 Years list by ESPN), Bosworth is also remembered as a great collegiate player, being named #30 in College Football News' list of the "100 Greatest Players of All-Time." Most recently, Bosworth made an appearance in the booth during the Monday Night Football broadcast that saw the Seattle Seahawks host the Oakland Raiders on November 6, 2006. During the discussion, he stated he had no regrets about his football career, but wished that he and Jackson had had longer careers. He also stated that he thought he and Bo would have developed a good rivalry, had they both been able to play longer.
Bosworth was also a color commentator for the short-lived XFL during their only season of existence in 2001.
Actor
Bosworth starred in the 1991 action film Stone Cold and has had an on-again, off-again film career since. In 2005, he had a role as one of the prison-guard football players in the Adam Sandler movie remake The Longest Yard, coincidentally acting alongside Stone Cold Steve Austin .
Personal life
Bosworth married his high school girlfriend, Katherine Nicastro, in September 1993. The couple have three children, but have currently filed for divorce. Brian also has two nephews, Kyle and Korey Bosworth, who play for the UCLA Bruins. Bosworth became a real estate agent for The Sotheby's International Realty Malibu Brokerage office.[1] In August 2007 he was listed as the selling agent for the sale of his own Malibu home at 6375 Meadows Court.[2]
Collegiate honors
- All-America - 1985, 1986
- All-Big Eight - 1984, 1985, 1986
- Academic All America - 1986