Former Longhorns great Kenneth Sims, No. 1 overall pick in 1982 for Patriots, dies at 65
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.
Very sad day with the passing of our Longhorn Legend and College Football Hall of Famer Kenneth Sims. Our thoughts & prayers go out his family, friends, and teammates. pic.twitter.com/WHIkwNPAiX
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) March 21, 2025
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
Topics
-
Kenneth Sims, No. 1 overall pick in the 1982 NFL draft, dies at 65
Kenneth Sims starred at Texas and was a No. 1 overall pick by the Patriots in 1982. He died on March 21 at 65.Yahoo Sports - 10h -
Kenneth Sims, the No. 1 overall pick of the Patriots in 1982, dies at 65
Kenneth Sims, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1982 draft, died Friday at the age of 65, Chip Brown of 247Sports reports.Yahoo Sports - 15h -
Kenneth Sims, former No. 1 overall pick of the Patriots and Texas pass rusher, dies at 65
Smith was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1982 NFL DraftCBS Sports - 14h -
Kenneth Sims, college football Hall of Famer and 1982 NFL first overall pick, dies at 65
Sims remains Texas' all-time leader in forced fumbles with 15.Yahoo Sports - 14h -
Former No. 1 overall pick says Commanders may be 'complete failure' in 2025
Keyshawn Johnson was so certain of himself saying how the Commanders could fail. Yet completely unaware...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Patriots reportedly signing former first-round draft pick edge rusher
The New England Patriots are reportedly signing former first-round draft pick K'Lavon Chaisson to a one-year deal.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Matthew Golden to the Cowboys? New Mock Draft has former Longhorns WR landing in Dallas
NFL Draft expert Todd McShay's new Mock Draft projects former Texas Longhorns wide receiver Matthew Golden getting picked 12th by the Dallas Cowboys.Yahoo Sports - 15h -
NFL insider: New York Giants' plan of trading for No. 1 pick 'appears dead'
One NFL insider says the New York Giants' plan of trading up for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft "appears dead."Yahoo Sports - 5d -
NFL Free Agency: Fantasy Football winners and losers and what it means for 2025 drafts
The Bears have massively upgraded protection for the former No. 1 overall pickCBS Sports - Mar. 15
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Harry Kane on England’s first game under Thomas Tuchel and reaching 70 international goals
Harry Kane says there was enough in England’s win over Albania to feel excited about what is to come under new boss Thomas Tuchel.Tuchel oversaw a 2-0 win in his first game in charge thanks to ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Harry Kane on England’s first game under Thomas Tuchel and reaching 70 international goals
Harry Kane says there was enough in England’s win over Albania to feel excited about what is to come under new boss Thomas Tuchel.Tuchel oversaw a 2-0 win in his first game in charge thanks to ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
High school girls basketball: LaFargeville conquers challenge of season to win state crown
Mar. 22—TROY — At last, Emeline Barton and her LaFargeville girls basketball team teammates could truly savor and revel in the moment. After the final buzzer sounded Friday night, the Red Knights ...Yahoo Sports - 16m -
High school girls basketball: LaFargeville conquers challenge of season to win state crown
Mar. 22—TROY — At last, Emeline Barton and her LaFargeville girls basketball team teammates could truly savor and revel in the moment. After the final buzzer sounded Friday night, the Red Knights ...Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Kansas City Chiefs sign CB Robert Rochell to a one-year deal
According to multiple reports, free agent cornerback Robert Rochell reached an agreement to join the Kansas City #Chiefs | @EdEastonJrYahoo Sports - 17m
More in Sports
-
Transfer rumors, news: AC Milan to drop Leao's release clause, Chelsea interested
AC Milan are willing to discount Rafael Leao's release clause, and Chelsea could land him. Transfer Talk has the latest news, gossip and rumors.ESPN - 14m -
All-Star to architect: Buster Posey's plan to rebuild the Giants
The future Hall of Fame catcher turned president of baseball operations has a vision.ESPN - 14m -
'An out in three pitches': What the rest of MLB can learn from the Royals' old-school rotation
Five guys ... making quality starts ... day in and day out? Sounds like a bygone era. But it worked big-time for the Royals last year. Why isn't everyone else doing it?ESPN - 14m -
Disgruntled Poch: Wearing U.S. shirt 'not enough'
Mauricio Pochettino was left visibly frustrated after the USMNT's shocking 1-0 defeat to Panama in the Concacaf Nations League, bluntly telling his players it was not enough to just simply show up ...ESPN - 15m -
'You're my idol': Henry joins Panama celebrations
Panama's Cecilio Waterman celebrated one of the biggest goals in his country's history, to defeat the USMNT, with his idol Thierry Henry.ESPN - 15m