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. Sims died in his sleep after battling an illness, per Brown.
Sims played at the University of Texas, where he began his college career backing up Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve McMichael and Bill Acker. Sims made his presence known in his junior season, posting 131 tackles and earning All-Southwest Conference and consensus All-America honors.
As a senior in 1981, Sims became the school's first Lombardi Award winner and was the top defensive vote-recipient for the Heisman Trophy. He again earned All-Southwest Conference and consensus All-America honors.
The Patriots used the first pick on him in 1982 in a draft that also featured Jim McMahon, Mike Munchak, Marcus Allen and Morten Andersen.
Sims was fifth in voting for NFL defensive rookie of the year.
He spent his entire career with the Patriots, playing 74 career games with 64 starts in eight seasons and recording 17 sacks.
In 1985, Sims had 5.5 sacks in 13 games before breaking his leg. That kept him out of Super Bowl XX, which the Bears won by beating the Patriots.
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 - 7h -
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 -
Jaguars land potential No. 1 pick in NFL mock draft after early run on QBs
An early run on quarterbacks in a recent mock draft from PFF helped the Jaguars land a potential No. 1 overall pick.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
NFL insider: Tennessee Titans have 'not entertained any real offers' for No. 1 pick
NFL insider Adam Schefter reports that the Tennessee Titans have "not entertained any real offers" for the No. 1 overall pick.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
The First Pick of the W.N.B.A. Draft Is Easy. Then the Questions Start.
Paige Bueckers is poised to be another No. 1 overall pick from UConn, a columnist for The Athletic writes.The New York Times - 2d -
2025 NFL Draft: Cam Ward says it 'would be a dream' to play for this NFC South team someday
Ward is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL DraftCBS Sports - 3d -
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 - 4d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
NFL draft prospect ranks Commanders' Terry McLaurin as a top 3 wide receiver
One NFL draft prospect says Commanders WR Terry McLaurin is one of the league's three best wide receivers.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
F1 Chinese GP LIVE: Oscar Piastri claims brilliant pole as Lewis Hamilton falters in qualifying
Follow updates from the Shanghai International Circuit as Piastri grabs pole ahead of George RussellYahoo Sports - 20m -
Incoming Penn State basketball star named New York's Gatorade Player of the Year
Kayden Mingo is Penn State's highest-rated commit in program history. He is also the Gatorade National Player of the Year in New York.Yahoo Sports - 24m -
Football academies: When chasing a dream becomes a nightmare
A 21-year-old from south London shares how his dream of becoming a professional footballer was dashed by injury.Yahoo Sports - 26m -
Massive relief for Barcelona as club captain might get early release from international duty
Barcelona could receive a major boost ahead of their upcoming league match against Osasuna, as Uruguay national team coach Marcelo Bielsa could rest Ronald Araujo for the team’s next fixture ...Yahoo Sports - 27m
More in Sports
-
NFL draft prospect ranks Commanders' Terry McLaurin as a top 3 wide receiver
One NFL draft prospect says Commanders WR Terry McLaurin is one of the league's three best wide receivers.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
F1 Chinese GP LIVE: Oscar Piastri claims brilliant pole as Lewis Hamilton falters in qualifying
Follow updates from the Shanghai International Circuit as Piastri grabs pole ahead of George RussellYahoo Sports - 20m -
Incoming Penn State basketball star named New York's Gatorade Player of the Year
Kayden Mingo is Penn State's highest-rated commit in program history. He is also the Gatorade National Player of the Year in New York.Yahoo Sports - 24m -
Football academies: When chasing a dream becomes a nightmare
A 21-year-old from south London shares how his dream of becoming a professional footballer was dashed by injury.Yahoo Sports - 26m -
Massive relief for Barcelona as club captain might get early release from international duty
Barcelona could receive a major boost ahead of their upcoming league match against Osasuna, as Uruguay national team coach Marcelo Bielsa could rest Ronald Araujo for the team’s next fixture ...Yahoo Sports - 27m