1. Early life
Brian Bosworth was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on March 9, 1965. He attended MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas, where he excelled in football. During his high school career, he was recognized as a two-time consensus All-American for the football team. He completed his high school education and graduated in 1983, subsequently being recruited to play college football for the University of Oklahoma.
2. College career
Bosworth played as a linebacker for the Oklahoma Sooners for three seasons, from 1984 to 1986. During his tenure, he became a prominent figure in college football, known for his intense play and controversial persona.
2.1. Major achievements
Bosworth was a highly decorated player during his college years. He was recognized as a unanimous All-American in both his sophomore and junior seasons. He is also the only player in history to have won the Dick Butkus Award, given to the nation's top college linebacker, more than once, securing the accolade in both 1985 and 1986. His exceptional performance led College Football News to rank him No. 30 on its list of the "100 Greatest College Players of All-Time." In October 1999, Sports Illustrated named Bosworth to its NCAA Football All-Century Team, where he was one of only nine linebackers selected for the prestigious squad. He was particularly noted for his ability to elevate his performance in high-stakes games and was regarded as an excellent tackler, though he occasionally received criticism for tackling too high.
2.2. College controversies
Beyond his on-field prowess, Bosworth gained significant notoriety for his radical hairstyles, outspoken comments, and his strong criticism of the NCAA. His criticisms primarily focused on the extensive control the NCAA exercised over college athletes, particularly its rules that prevented them from earning money during their college careers.
2.2.1. Steroid allegations
Following his junior year, Bosworth was barred from playing in the post-season 1987 Orange Bowl after he tested positive for steroids. He publicly contended that his use of steroids was medically prescribed by his doctor to treat injuries he had sustained.
2.2.2. NCAA criticism and player rights
Bosworth was a vocal opponent of the NCAA's regulations, which he viewed as stifling athletes' rights and earning potential. He openly challenged the organization's authority, arguing for greater autonomy and financial opportunities for college players. This stance positioned him as an early advocate for player rights within the collegiate sports system.
2.2.3. Orange Bowl incident
The steroid suspension prevented Bosworth from participating in the 1987 Orange Bowl. During the third quarter of that game, in a defiant act of protest, Bosworth removed his football jersey to reveal a t-shirt underneath. The t-shirt bore the controversial message: "NCAA: National Communists Against Athletes." This incident was immediately captured by television cameras, causing considerable consternation among alumni and administrators at the University of Oklahoma. Aware that Bosworth was likely to enter the NFL draft regardless, the Oklahoma coach, Barry Switzer, subsequently dismissed Bosworth from the team.
2.2.4. Other controversies
Bosworth's college career was marked by other controversial incidents. In a 1986 interview with Sports Illustrated, he claimed that during a summer job at a GM plant in Oklahoma City, co-workers taught him how to intentionally insert bolts in hard-to-reach places so they would rattle. He stated, "If you own a Celebrity or Century made in 1985 in Oklahoma City, that car is (messed up) if I had anything to do with it." He also claimed each bolt carried a note saying, "Aha! You found me!" and expressed enjoyment at the thought of people being frustrated by the mysterious rattles. Some of his former co-workers disputed this story. Bosworth reportedly retracted the statement, though he later denied having done so.
In September 1988, Bosworth co-authored an autobiography titled The Boz with Sports Illustrated writer Rick Reilly. In the book, Bosworth made extensive allegations about the Sooner football program, claiming it was rife with drug use, instances of gunplay in the athletic dorm, and other forms of wild behavior. While many Sooner boosters initially dismissed his claims as the resentful rantings of an ex-player, an NCAA report issued three months later corroborated many of Bosworth's assertions. These revelations ultimately contributed to coach Barry Switzer's forced resignation.
3. Professional career
Bosworth's transition to professional football was highly anticipated but ultimately short-lived due to injury.
3.1. NFL draft and contract
Bosworth strategically planned his college coursework to graduate a year early, which provided him with the option to enter the NFL draft ahead of schedule. This move was intended to give him leverage over which team would draft him, as he could theoretically return to Oklahoma if he wasn't chosen by a preferred NFL team. To further this strategy, Bosworth sent letters to various NFL teams, explicitly stating that he would not report to their training camp or play for them if they drafted him. As a humorous response, the Tacoma Stars of the Major Indoor Soccer League selected him in the 12th round of their 1987 draft, with their general manager quipping, "Because we didn't receive a letter from him that he wouldn't play for us." At one point, Bosworth appeared on The Today Show with Bryant Gumbel, where he openly declared his desire to play for the Los Angeles Raiders, stating that their team culture best fit his personality.
However, his dismissal from the Oklahoma football team following the Orange Bowl t-shirt incident significantly diminished his leverage in controlling his NFL destination. Despite his earlier declarations of disinterest to several teams, Bosworth was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the supplemental draft in June 1987. Although he initially threatened to uphold his promise not to sign with the Seahawks, he eventually agreed to a groundbreaking contract. This deal, valued at 11.00 M USD over ten years, was not only the largest contract in Seahawks history at the time but also the biggest rookie contract in NFL history. Upon joining the team, Bosworth attempted to sue the NFL for the right to wear number 44, his college jersey number. The Seahawks also petitioned for a rule change, as NFL regulations prohibited linebackers from wearing jerseys in the 40s. Their efforts were unsuccessful, and Bosworth ultimately chose to wear number 55. It was not until 2015, long after Bosworth's retirement, that the NFL changed its rules to permit linebackers to wear jersey numbers in the 40s.
3.2. Playing career and injury
Bosworth joined a Seattle Seahawks team that had failed to reach the playoffs for two consecutive seasons, despite a 10-6 finish in 1986. In his rookie season, he appeared in 12 games and generally performed well on the field. However, he became more widely known for his flamboyant personality and distinctive appearance than for his actual playing contributions.
3.2.1. Notable incidents
Before the first game of his rookie season against the Denver Broncos, Bosworth engaged in trash talk directed at Denver quarterback John Elway. In response, 10,000 Denver fans wore $15 T-shirts emblazoned with the phrase "What's a Boz Worth? Nothing." Ironically, these shirts were manufactured by Bosworth's own company.
Later that season, prior to the Seahawks' second matchup with the Los Angeles Raiders, Bosworth publicly boasted that he would "contain" Raiders running back Bo Jackson. During a red zone play, Jackson received a hand-off and powerfully ran through Bosworth's attempted tackle to score a touchdown. According to Jackson, after the play, he stood up and famously told Bosworth, "Next time, have bus fare," a comment that reportedly infuriated Bosworth. The Raiders went on to win that game, 37-14, largely due to Jackson's impressive performance, which included three touchdowns and 221 yd rushing.
3.2.2. Injury and lawsuit
Bosworth's professional football career was prematurely cut short due to a severe shoulder injury sustained during the 1988 season. He was forced to retire in 1989 after playing only two seasons in the NFL. Team Doctor Pierce E. Scranton Jr. famously described the severity of his condition, stating, "Brian was a twenty-five-year-old with the shoulders of a sixty-year-old. He flunked my physical." In 1993, Bosworth successfully won a 7.00 M USD lawsuit against Lloyd's of London. Lloyd's had argued that Bosworth's shoulder injury was a result of degenerative arthritis, which was not covered under his insurance policy. However, Bosworth maintained that his injury was directly sustained during a single, specific hit.
4. Post-retirement activities
After his early retirement from professional football, Brian Bosworth embarked on a new career path, primarily focusing on acting, but also engaging in broadcasting and other media appearances.
4.1. Acting career
Bosworth launched his acting career, starring in the 1991 action film Stone Cold. He has since maintained an on-again/off-again film career, appearing in several lower-budget productions, many of which were released directly to video, such as One Man's Justice, Virus (also known as Spill), and Midnight Heat. In 2005, he took on a notable role as one of the prison-guard football players in the Adam Sandler remake of The Longest Yard. He also starred in Lawless, a television series for Fox, which was cancelled immediately after its premiere.
4.2. Broadcasting and commentary
In 2001, Bosworth joined the XFL as a color commentator for their television broadcasts. He was part of the crew that called games airing on Sunday nights on UPN, working alongside Chris Marlowe (play-by-play) and sideline reporters Chris Wragge and Michael Barkann. Two years later, in 2003, Bosworth was hired by Turner Sports as a college football studio analyst. He contributed to TBS' Saturday night game coverage, providing insights during pregame, halftime, and postgame segments alongside studio host Ernie Johnson. He concluded this role after the 2003 season.
4.3. Other media appearances
Bosworth has made various appearances in other media, showcasing his versatility. He has been a guest judge on numerous episodes of the cooking competition show Chopped. In 2010, he appeared as a dining guest on episode 1 of the second season of Hell's Kitchen. In August 2014, Bosworth featured in a Dish Network commercial alongside fellow former players Matt Leinart and Heath Shuler, humorously depicting them longing for a return to their more successful college days. In 2016, he reunited with Bo Jackson for a Tecmo Bowl-style television advertisement for the Kia Sorento, which comically parodied their famous on-field encounter from their 1987 game. Since 2018, Bosworth has been a recurring presence as the sheriff in the "Fansville" series of Dr Pepper commercials.
5. Personal life
Brian Bosworth's personal life includes his family, his post-football career in real estate, and instances of community involvement.
5.1. Family and relationships
In September 1993, Brian Bosworth married his high school girlfriend, Katherine Nicastro. The couple had three children together before their divorce in 2006. He also has two nephews who played football for the UCLA Bruins, both of whom were signed as undrafted free agents by the Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions, respectively.
5.2. Community involvement and other pursuits
In 2010, Bosworth transitioned into the real estate industry, becoming an agent for Sotheby's International Realty at their brokerage office in Malibu, California. Beyond his professional pursuits, Bosworth has demonstrated a willingness to assist in emergencies. On July 5, 2008, he helped with the rescue of a woman whose SUV rolled over east of Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 2009, he administered CPR to a fallen man in a parking lot until medical assistance arrived.
6. Legacy and assessment
Brian Bosworth's legacy is characterized by his significant impact on college football, his controversial public persona, and a professional career that, while brief, left a lasting impression.
6.1. College Football Hall of Fame
On January 9, 2015, Brian Bosworth was officially announced as one of the inductees into the prestigious College Football Hall of Fame class of 2015, recognizing his outstanding achievements during his collegiate career.
6.2. Public perception and criticism
Bosworth's public perception has been a subject of considerable discussion, often balancing his undeniable talent with the controversies that surrounded his career. In 2004, ESPN conducted a poll for its "Biggest Flops of the Last 25 Years" list, where voters ranked Bosworth as the third-worst flop, while an expert panel placed him as the sixth-worst.
6.2.1. Positive contributions
Despite the criticisms, Bosworth's positive contributions primarily stem from his exceptional playing achievements in college football. His two Dick Butkus Awards and unanimous All-American selections underscore his dominance as a linebacker. He was recognized for his ability to perform at a high level in critical games, solidifying his place among the top college players of his era.
6.2.2. Criticisms and controversies
Much of the criticism surrounding Brian Bosworth centers on his self-created persona, "The Boz," which often overshadowed his athletic abilities. The 2014 ESPN 30 for 30 documentary Brian and The Boz extensively explored Bosworth's personal struggle with this persona, which he felt began to dominate his life. The documentary featured interviews with figures such as his former coach Barry Switzer, and teammates like Tony Casillas, who were critical of claims made in Bosworth's autobiography, The Boz. The book's revelations about drug use and other illicit activities within the Oklahoma football program, later corroborated by an NCAA report, contributed to a contentious public image. His outspoken nature, particularly his defiance against the NCAA, while seen by some as advocating for player rights, also fueled a perception of arrogance and insubordination. His brief and injury-plagued NFL career, especially the highly publicized incident with Bo Jackson, further contributed to a mixed public assessment of his overall football legacy.
7. Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Stone Cold | Officer Joe Huff / John Stone |
| 1995 | One Man's Justice | John North |
| 1996 | Virus | Ken Fairchild |
| 1997 | Midnight Heat | FBI Agent John Gray / Wayne Garret |
| 1998 | Back in Business | Joe Elkhart |
| 1999 | Three Kings | Action Star |
| 2000 | The Operative | Alec / Grady |
| 2001 | Phase IV | Detective Steven Birnam |
| 2001 | Mach 2 | Captain Jack Tyree |
| 2005 | The Longest Yard | Guard Garner |
| 2005 | CSI: Miami- Episode - "Shattered" | Duane 'Bull' Merrick |
| 2009 | Rock Slyde | The Friendly Pirate |
| 2010 | Blue Mountain State (Season 2 Ep. 3) | Himself |
| 2010 | Down and Distance | John Vonarb |
| 2013 | Revelation Road: The Beginning of the End | Hawg |
| 2013 | Revelation Road 2: The Sea of Glass and Fire | Hawg |
| 2014 | The Black Rider: Revelation Road | Hawg |
| 2015 | Do You Believe? | Joe |
| 2019 | What Men Want | Nick |
| 2019 | Ambitions | Hunter Purifoy |
| 2019 | The Reliant | Jack |