Kenneth Sims, Former No. 1 NFL Draft Pick, Dies at 65
Kenneth Sims, a celebrated College Football Hall of Famer and former first overall NFL draft selection, has passed away at the age of 65, the University of Texas announced on Friday.
The university stated that Sims died peacefully at his residence. Reports indicate that Sims had been contending with an illness.
Collegiate Career at Texas
Sims was a defensive end for the Texas Longhorns from 1978 to 1981. He earned consensus All-American honors in his junior and senior years. During his senior season, he recorded 23 tackles for loss, secured the Lombardi Award, and achieved eighth place in Heisman Trophy voting.
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NFL Career with New England Patriots
In the 1982 NFL draft, the New England Patriots selected Sims as the No. 1 overall pick. This was in an era where quarterbacks were not always the top selections.
During his rookie season, Sims registered three sacks in nine games and finished fourth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
In 1985, he achieved a career-high of 5.5 sacks in 13 games before suffering a leg fracture. This injury sidelined him for the postseason, including the Patriots’ Super Bowl XX defeat against the Chicago Bears.
Kenneth Sims, former No. 1 overall NFL draft pick and College Football Hall of Famer, has died.
Sims with former Patriots owner William Sullivan (left) and NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle.
Legacy and Hall of Fame Induction
Throughout his eight NFL seasons with the Patriots, Sims accumulated 17 sacks and recovered five fumbles across 74 games.
Sims received induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
According to the University of Texas, Sims amassed 322 tackles, 29 sacks, 15 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries, and three blocked kicks during his distinguished college career.
The New England Patriots expressed their condolences on X, stating: ‘We are deeply saddened by the passing of our 1982 first overall draft pick, Kenneth Sims.’