Kenneth Sims, No. 1 overall pick in the 1982 NFL draft, dies at 65
Kenneth Sims, the No. 1 overall draft pick out of Texas by the New England Patriots in 1982, died on March 21 at 65.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of our 1982 first overall draft pick, Kenneth Sims: https://t.co/n7C4UGg5Acpic.twitter.com/qLJsnfJ1Q9
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) March 21, 2025
As a senior with the Longhorns, Sims was the leading vote-getter for the Heisman Trophy among defensive players in 1981. He earned the Lombardi Award, given to the top lineman in college football, and was named the UPI Lineman of the Year. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in the Class of 2021.
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
TexasLonghorns.com remembered Sims' accomplishments over four seasons:
He was an impact performer at the heart of the Longhorns' defensive line for four seasons. In that time, the 6-6, 265-pound tackle recorded 322 tackles, 29 sacks, 50 tackles for loss, 15 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and three blocked kicks. After playing behind now-fellow College Football Hall of Famer Steve McMichael during his first two seasons, Sims shined as a starter in the 1980 and 1981 campaigns, posting 241 tackles, 21 sacks, 40 tackles for loss, 11 forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries in that time. Sims' 15 career forced fumbles still stand as the most by a player in a school history, while his 29 sacks (fourth) and seven fumble recoveries (fifth) both rank among the top five among Longhorns all-time. His 50 career tackles for loss are ninth-best in school history.
He was drafted first overall by the Patriots but his NFL career was limited to one full season over eight years due to injuries. Sims had 17 sacks in 74 games. When New England went to Super Bowl after the 1985 season he missed the game after breaking a leg during the season.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Former No. 1 overall pick of the Patriots Kenneth Sims dies at 65
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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 - 12h -
Former Longhorns great Kenneth Sims, No. 1 overall pick in 1982 for Patriots, dies at 65
Former Texas Longhorns Hall of Fame inductee Kenneth Sims, the No. 1 overall pick in 1982 by the Patriots, dead at 65.Yahoo Sports - 10h -
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 - 10h -
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 - 11h -
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