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Kenneth Sims, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft and a Texas Longhorns legend, died in his sleep Friday at the age of 65 after battling an illness, according to Chip Brown of 247Sports and a release on social media later by the New England Patriots.
Sims, a native of Groesbeck, Texas, played defensive tackle at the University of Texas from 1978 to 1981. He began his career backing up Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve McMichael and Bill Acker before emerging as a dominant force in his junior and senior seasons.
In 1980, Sims recorded 131 tackles, earning All-Southwest Conference and consensus All-America honors. A year later, he became the first Longhorn to win the Lombardi Award, presented annually to the nation’s best lineman. Sims also finished as the top defensive vote-getter for the Heisman Trophy that year, was named team MVP in both 1980 and 1981, and served as a team co-captain his senior season.
The New England Patriots selected Sims with the first overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft, a class that also featured Jim McMahon, Mike Munchak, Marcus Allen and Morten Andersen. Sims was fifth in voting for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and went on to play eight seasons with the Patriots.
Sims was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1997.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Kenneth Sims, No. 1 overall pick of the Patriots in 1982, dies at 65
Continue reading...
Sims, a native of Groesbeck, Texas, played defensive tackle at the University of Texas from 1978 to 1981. He began his career backing up Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve McMichael and Bill Acker before emerging as a dominant force in his junior and senior seasons.
In 1980, Sims recorded 131 tackles, earning All-Southwest Conference and consensus All-America honors. A year later, he became the first Longhorn to win the Lombardi Award, presented annually to the nation’s best lineman. Sims also finished as the top defensive vote-getter for the Heisman Trophy that year, was named team MVP in both 1980 and 1981, and served as a team co-captain his senior season.
The New England Patriots selected Sims with the first overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft, a class that also featured Jim McMahon, Mike Munchak, Marcus Allen and Morten Andersen. Sims was fifth in voting for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and went on to play eight seasons with the Patriots.
Sims was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1997.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Kenneth Sims, No. 1 overall pick of the Patriots in 1982, dies at 65
Continue reading...
