Kenneth Sims, the No. 1 overall choice in the 1982 Patriots' NFL Draft, died Friday, the team announced.
Sims was fighting illness and died sleeping in his house.
He was 65 years old.
Before being drafted by the Patriots, Sims was an outstanding defensive at the University of Texas and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
“It's a very sad day when Longhorn Legend and College Football Hall of Fame Kenneth Sims passed away.” Official Texas Football Account Posted on X. “Our thoughts and prayers are directed at his family, friends and teammates.”
Sims spent his first two years working as a backup for future Pro Football Hall of Fame Steve McMichael before spending his breakout junior season in Texas.
During his junior year, Sims won 131 tackles and was selected by the US.
Sims continued his junior season by becoming the first longhorn to win a Lombardi award in his fourth year.
The Texas native spent his entire eight years of his NFL career with the patriots, playing 74 career games (64 start) with his team.
The Sims was a member of the 1982 All-Rookie Team and won the votes for Rookie of the Year.
During his tenure with New England, Sims recorded 17 career sacks, including a career-high 5.5 during the 1985 season.
The Sims broke his leg late in the regular season in 1985 and were unable to play in a Super Bowl loss to the Bears in New England.
After his death, the Patriots wrote on social media that they were “deeply saddened by the death of Sims.”
