Kenneth Sims

Infobox NFL player


Color=LightSteelBlue
fontcolor=Black
Name=Kenneth Sims
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DateOfBirth=birth date and age|1959|10|31
Birthplace=flagicon|USA Kosse, Texas
DateOfDeath=
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Height_ft=6
Height_in=5
Weight_lbs=272
Position=DE
College=Texas
DraftedYear=1982
DraftedRound=1 / Pick 1
Career Highlights=Y
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Awards=1982 NCAA Top Five Award
1981 Lombardi Award
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Stats=Y
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DatabaseFootball=SIMSKEN01
NFL=
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ESPN=
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years=1982-1989
teams=New England Patriots
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Kenneth Wayne Sims (born October 31, 1959 in Kosse, Texas), 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, 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 and Bill Acker, then became a force his junior year. He made 131 tackles, and was named an All-American. He was awarded the Lombardi Trophy, becoming the first Longhorn to do so.

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 sacks 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 of 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.