Kenneth Sims
Encyclopedia
Kenneth Wayne Sims is a former American
professional football player who was selected by the New England Patriots
as the first overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft
. A 6'5", 272 lbs. defensive end
from the University of Texas at Austin
, where he was a two-time All-American. Sims played for the Patriots his entire NFL career from 1982-1989.
At the University of Texas, Sims spent his freshmen year learning the basics of the tackle position. He spent his sophomore year behind Steve McMichael
and Bill Acker
, then became a force his junior year. He made 131 tackles, and was named an All-American
. As a senior, in 1981, he was awarded the Lombardi Trophy
, becoming the first Longhorn to win it. He was also the 1981 UPI Lineman of the Year
and was All-American
once again.
over 8 NFL seasons. His best year was in 1985, when he managed 5.5 sacks and played in Super Bowl XX
. Sims was tagged with the nickname "Game Day" when he explained his disinterest in practice by saying "I'll be there on game day." In June 1990, Sims was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine in Austin, Texas
. Shortly afterwards the Patriots released an out of shape Sims, and he eventually retired.
Sims now hosts Texas Football Roundup on ESPN Radio
in Austin, Texas and is a season ticket holder for University of Texas at Austin
basketball and football games.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional football player who was selected by the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
as the first overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft
1982 NFL Draft
The 1982 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 27–28, 1982...
. A 6'5", 272 lbs. defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
from the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
, where he was a two-time All-American. Sims played for the Patriots his entire NFL career from 1982-1989.
High school and college career
Sims almost quit football before his college football career even began. In his junior year at Groesbeck High School, Sims quit football. That summer, he realized that football was indeed for him, spent his senior year playing linebacker, fullback and tight end, rather than a tackle.At the University of Texas, Sims spent his freshmen year learning the basics of the tackle position. He spent his sophomore year behind Steve McMichael
Steve McMichael
-World Wrestling Federation :After the end of his NFL career, he appeared at ringside in the WWF for Lawrence Taylor at WrestleMania XI on April 2, 1995 in Hartford, Connecticut. Taylor was wrestling Bam Bam Bigelow and there were several football players at ringside to keep wrestlers from...
and Bill Acker
Bill Acker
William Berry Acker, Jr. is a former professional American football player who played defensive tackle for six seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Buffalo Bills....
, then became a force his junior year. He made 131 tackles, and was named an All-American
1980 College Football All-America Team
The 1980 College Football All-America team is composed of various organizations that choose College All-America teams that season. The organizations that chose the teams were Associated Press, United Press International, Newspaper Enterprise Association, Football Writers Association of America,...
. As a senior, in 1981, he was awarded the Lombardi Trophy
Lombardi Trophy
Lombardi Trophy may refer to:*Vince Lombardi Trophy, awarded to the winning team of the Super Bowl*Lombardi Award, an annual award to the best college football lineman or linebacker...
, becoming the first Longhorn to win it. He was also the 1981 UPI Lineman of the Year
UPI Lineman of the Year (College)
The United Press International college football lineman of the year award was among the first and most recognized college football awards. With the demise of UPI in 1997 the award was discontinued. Offensive and defensive linemen were eligible, including offensive ends, with one, Howard Twilley,...
and was All-American
1981 College Football All-America Team
The 1981 College Football All-America team is composed of various organizations that choose College All-America teams that season. The organizations that chose the teams were Associated Press, United Press International, Newspaper Enterprise Association, Football Writers Association of America,...
once again.
Pro career
Sims never lived up to the expectations of being the first overall pick in 1982. He only played the full 16 game schedule once, and played 74 career games with only 17 sacksQuarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
over 8 NFL seasons. His best year was in 1985, when he managed 5.5 sacks and played in Super Bowl XX
Super Bowl XX
Super Bowl XX was an American football championship game played on January 26, 1986 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 1985 regular season...
. Sims was tagged with the nickname "Game Day" when he explained his disinterest in practice by saying "I'll be there on game day." In June 1990, Sims was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine in Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
. Shortly afterwards the Patriots released an out of shape Sims, and he eventually retired.
Sims now hosts Texas Football Roundup on ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio is an American sports radio network. It was launched on January 1, 1992 under the original banner of "SportsRadio ESPN." ESPN Radio is located at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut...
in Austin, Texas and is a season ticket holder for University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
basketball and football games.