Kenneth Sims, College Football Hall of Famer and Former No. 1 NFL Draft Pick, Dies at 65

The Texas Longhorns legend and New England Patriots defensive lineman passed away peacefully in his sleep after battling an illness.

Kenneth Sims, a standout defensive lineman for the University of Texas, was the first Longhorn to win the Lombardi Award and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
Sims was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots and played eight seasons in the NFL, recording 17 career sacks.
In his college career, Sims amassed 322 tackles, 50 tackles for loss, 29 sacks, and a Texas-record 15 forced fumbles, earning consensus All-American honors twice.
Despite his talent, Sims' NFL career was limited by injuries, including a ruptured Achilles tendon and a broken leg, but he was a key contributor to the Patriots' 1985 Super Bowl campaign.
Off the field, Sims was known for his humility, philanthropy, and leadership, including creating an endowed scholarship for Texas women’s athletics.