Kenneth Sims, the New England Patriots’ first overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft, passed away on March 21, as reported by Chip Brown of 24/7Sports.com. From his early years in Texas to his standout career at the University of Texas and his time in the NFL, Sims made a significant impact on football, especially as a key member of the Patriots’ first AFC Championship team.
Sims attended Groesbeck High School in Texas, where he displayed his athletic versatility by playing several positions, including linebacker, fullback, and tight end. His impressive performance earned him a scholarship to the University of Texas, where he switched to playing defensive tackle.
As a junior, Sims had a breakout season with 131 tackles, earning both All-Conference and All-American honors. In his senior year, he cemented his legacy by becoming the first Longhorn to win the prestigious Lombardi Award, given to the top college football lineman. He was also named the 1981 UPI Lineman of the Year and finished as the highest defensive vote-getter for the Heisman Trophy. Sims played a pivotal role in leading the Longhorns to a 10–1–1 record and a victory in the 1982 Cotton Bowl Classic, finishing the season with a No. 2 national ranking.
The Patriots selected Sims with the first overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft, making him just the third Longhorn to receive that honor. He finished fourth in the AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year voting that season, which included a playoff appearance for the Patriots.
During his eight seasons with the Patriots, Sims played 74 games and recorded 17 sacks. His best performance came in 1985, when he logged 5.5 sacks in 13 games, helping the Patriots reach Super Bowl XX. Unfortunately, a broken leg late in the season kept him from playing in the championship game.
Injuries took a toll on Sims’ career, limiting him to just one full season (1984). He underwent back surgery in 1987, and a ruptured Achilles tendon in 1988 caused him to miss the entire season. Despite these setbacks, Sims returned in 1989 and played most of the season before a knee injury forced him to miss the final game. That season marked the end of his NFL career, which spanned eight years, all with the Patriots, and included a conference championship.
