BREAKING NEWSKenneth Sims, former No. 1 NFL draft pick and New England Patriots star, dies aged 65

BREAKING NEWSKenneth Sims, former No. 1 NFL draft pick and New England Patriots star, dies aged 65

Former No. 1 overall NFL draft pick and College Football Hall of Famer Kenneth Sims died Friday at age 65, the University of Texas announced.

The university said Sims died peacefully at his home. According to a report, Sims had been battling an illness.

Sims played defensive end for Texas from 1978 to 1981 and was a consensus All-American as a junior and senior. He had 23 tackles for loss as a senior, won the Lombardi Award and finished in eighth place in Heisman Trophy balloting.

Sims then went No. 1 in the NFL draft to the New England Patriots in an era in which quarterbacks didn’t always go first overall. 

Sims had three sacks in nine games as a rookie and placed fourth in Defensive Rookie of the Year balloting.  

He had a career-best 5.5 sacks in 13 games in 1985 before breaking a leg. That caused him to miss the postseason, including the Patriots’ Super Bowl XX loss to the Chicago Bears.

Former No. 1 overall NFL draft pick and College Football Hall of Famer Kenneth Sims died Friday

Former No. 1 overall NFL draft pick and College Football Hall of Famer Kenneth Sims died Friday

Sims poses with ex-Patriots owner William Sullivan (left) and NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle

Sims poses with ex-Patriots owner William Sullivan (left) and NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle

Overall, Sims had 17 sacks and five fumble recoveries in 74 games over eight NFL seasons with the Patriots.

Sims was inducted into the College Hall of Fame in 2021. 

According to Texas, Sims had 322 tackles, 29 sacks, 15 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and three blocked kicks during his stellar college career.

On X, the Patriots wrote: ‘We are deeply saddened by the pᴀssing of our 1982 first overall draft pick, Kenneth Sims.’

More to follow. 

Related Posts

Revealed: How troubled NFL star Tyreek Hill is tackling off-field woes amid explosive divorce dispute with influencer wife

Revealed: How troubled NFL star Tyreek Hill is tackling off-field woes amid explosive divorce dispute with influencer wife

NFL phenom Tyreek Hill is attempting to move forward from a troubling offseason that includes an explosive divorce dispute by going to therapy and church more often. …

Shedeur Sanders makes shock admission about Browns teammates… after claim he could be cut amid QB battle

Shedeur Sanders makes shock admission about Browns teammates… after claim he could be cut amid QB battle

Shedeur Sanders may be in the middle of a heated quarterback compeтιтion, and possibly a candidate to be cut this summer, but he loves playing for the…

Patrick Mahomes reveals Travis Kelce’s mindset after return to Chiefs practice

Patrick Mahomes reveals Travis Kelce’s mindset after return to Chiefs practice

Travis Kelce may be gearing up for his 13th NFL season, but he’s just as motivated as ever according to his teammate and friend Patrick Mahomes. Kelce,…

NFL fans left furious as ‘horrible’ Ticketmaster makes shocking decision over London ticket sale ‘s***show’

NFL fans left furious as ‘horrible’ Ticketmaster makes shocking decision over London ticket sale ‘s***show’

NFL fans are furious with Ticketmaster after the rollout of tickets for the London-based league games for this season were described as ‘horrible’ and a ‘s***show’ by…

Patrick Mahomes stuns reporters with Olympics admission

Patrick Mahomes stuns reporters with Olympics admission

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has indicated that he might not be playing in the 2028 Summer Olympic games in Los Angeles. 2028 is set to…

Josh Allen distracts himself from Hailee Steinfeld wedding with round of golf in LA

Josh Allen distracts himself from Hailee Steinfeld wedding with round of golf in LA

Josh Allen is preparing to wed Hailee Steinfield this weekend, but he seemingly made time to play some golf beforehand. While the couple have kept the date…