By Tiffany Williams –
Kenneth Sims, the highly acclaimed No. 1 overall pick of the New England Patriots in the 1982 NFL Draft and a standout at the University of Texas, passed away at the age of 65, as announced by the Patriots. Having battled a serious illness, Sims quietly succumbed in his sleep at his home on Friday, leaving behind a legacy that resonates deeply in the world of football.
A towering presence on the field, Sims was a formidable force during his collegiate career at Texas. After initially serving as a backup to future Pro Football Hall of Famers Steve McMichael and Bill Acker, he emerged as a standout player in his junior season, amassing an impressive 131 tackles and earning All-American honors. He further solidified his reputation as a defensive powerhouse with another stellar All-American season in his senior year, where he made history as the first Longhorn to win the prestigious Lombardi Award. Notably, he was also the leading defensive vote-getter for the Heisman Trophy in that remarkable 1981 season.
Under Sims’ leadership, the Longhorns boasted an exceptional record of 10-1-1 in his final collegiate season, culminating in a triumphant victory in the 1982 Cotton Bowl.
Sims’ collegiate success catapulted him to the top of the draft, leading the Patriots to select him as the overall No. 1 choice in 1982. Over the course of his eight seasons with the Patriots, he became a staple of the team, playing in 74 games and making 64 starts. Throughout his illustrious career, he recorded 17 sacks, including a standout season in 1985 where he achieved 5.5 sacks in just 13 games. Tragically, a leg injury that year sidelined him from participating in Super Bowl XX, where the Chicago Bears defeated the Patriots.
In a heartfelt message shared on social media, the Patriots expressed their profound sorrow over the passing of Sims, stating they are “deeply saddened by the passing” of Sims.