The final score was 27-7 in favor of the Sooners, and Nebraska's touchdown was scored by the defense. Led by Bosworth's nine tackles, Oklahoma held the nation's top offense to 161 yards on 46 carries, more than 200 yards below their season average.
Oklahoma won the national championship by beating Penn State. Bosworth was a consensus All-American in addition to the first winner of the Dick Butkus award given to the best college linebacker.
His ego only swelled with the accolades and success he was encountering. His off-the-field interviews were always colorful and full of controversy, and his celebrations after big plays became more pronounced and flashy.
In 1986, Oklahoma was the prohibitive favorite to repeat as national champions. Bosworth once again led the team with 136 tackles, including a school record 22 against Miami. He was once again named an All-American and won his second consecutive Butkus award; he remains the only player to ever win the award twice.
Bosworth's senior season was supposed to be a foregone conclusion, merely the coronation of the nation's best linebacker. But the controversial linebacker apparently had used more than just the weight room to add muscle to his frame.
During the 1987 season he was suspended for testing positive for steroids, and eventually the normally lenient Switzer was forced to kick his star linebacker off the team for use of the performance-enhancers, something Bosworth wasn't prepared for but certainly didn't mind.
What sometimes goes unnoticed when people remember Bosworth is that while in front of the cameras and the people, he was a meathead footballer. But in the classroom and when the cameras weren't rolling, he was a personable guy and a very good student.
His B-average in Business Management helped him not only earn academic All-American honors, but it also helped him graduate a year ahead of his class and thus allow him to enter the NFL supplemental draft.
He was "The Boz." He didn't need college football anymore; he would just move on and continue his dominance and over-the-top antics in the pros.
As he prepared for the supplemental draft, it was rumored that Bosworth sent letters to some NFL teams stating he wouldn't play if they drafted him. This media flurry caused a team from Major League Indoor Soccer to draft him as a joke saying, "Well, we didn't receive a letter saying he wouldn't play for us."
He was drafted by the Seahawks and signed a large rookie contract to play in Seattle. He was moved to outside linebacker to utilize his speed and his pass-rushing skills. He played well his rookie year and was named to the 1987 All-Rookie team. For the most part he was a solid player in his short career, but unspectacular to say the least.
On Monday Night Football he was run over at the goal line by Bo Jackson on a short touchdown. Watching the replay, it was not that spectacular of a shoulder charge. Bo Jackson was a big man, and he only carried Bosworth for a yard before falling albeit into the end zone.
A normal player would have been able to live that down. But when you are "The Boz," fans and media members alike see that and immediately exploit it, turning into a battle of Bo v. Boz—with Bo clearly winning.
Bosworth's career was curtailed after just three seasons thanks to a shoulder injury that limited his effectiveness.
He has been immortalized on pretty much every pundit's list of Biggest Flops in NFL Draft history. ESPN listed him as the Fourth Biggest Flop in history, and The Sporting News listed him sixth.
Remembered fairly for his antics on and off the field in the NFL that didn't match the production. He should be remembered in a different way.
In three seasons with Oklahoma he helped revolutionize the linebacker position, making teams value speed over size. He was one of the greatest college football players in history, and his colorful behavior helped make him famous.
But what should really be remembered is the 413 tackles in three seasons, two national championships, and two Butkus awards—that's one heck of a legacy to leave behind.
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