Dave Simmons (linebacker, born 1943)

David Alan Simmons (August 3, 1943 – November 7, 1994) was a professional American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the St. Louis Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Georgia Tech.

Dave Simmons
No. 53
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born:(1943-08-03)August 3, 1943
Elizabethtown, Kentucky, U.S.
Died:November 7, 1994(1994-11-07) (aged 51)
Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school:Stephen F. Austin (TX)
College:Georgia Tech
NFL Draft:1965 / Round: 2 / Pick: 26
AFL Draft:1965 / Round: 5 / Pick: 40
(by the Buffalo Bills)[1]
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:44
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years

Simmons attended Stephen F. Austin High School, where he played as a fullback. He accepted a football scholarship from Georgia Tech where he played at center and linebacker.

Professional career

St. Louis Cardinals

Simmons was selected in the second round (26th overall) of the 1965 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. He was also selected by the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round (40th overall) of the 1965 AFL Draft. He was a backup linebacker and played on special teams. In 1966, he injured his ribs while playing against the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth game of the season and was placed on the injured reserve list.

New Orleans Saints

He was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the 1967 NFL expansion draft.[2] He was a part of franchise's inaugural season and played in eleven games. On August 15, 1968, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a fourth round draft choice (#102-Bob Hudspeth).[3]

Dallas Cowboys

In 1968, after trading the main backup at linebacker Harold Hays, the Dallas Cowboys acquired Simmons and Jackie Burkett for depth purposes.[4] He appeared in 13 games as a backup linebacker. He was released in 1969.

Pittsburgh Steelers

In 1969, he was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was released on August 11.[5]

Personal life

Simmons was an ordained Baptist minister. He helped to establish King's Arrow Ranch for children in Lumberton, Mississippi. He started his personal ministry in Little Rock, Arkansas.[6] He wrote the books "Dad the Family Coach" with the foreword provided by Tom Landry, "Dad the Family Mentor" with the foreword provided by Howard Hendricks and "Dad the Family Counselor". On November 7, 1994, he died in a one-car accident in Tennessee, while traveling to Atlanta.

References
  1. "1965 AFL Draft". Archived from the original on February 25, 2017. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  2. "Are Saints Best Expansion Club?". Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  3. "New Orleans Trades Simmons To Cowboys". Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  4. "Inconsistency Is Dallas Biggest Problem This Year". Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  5. "Three Steelers Put On Waivers". Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  6. "Dad The Family Shepherd". 12 August 2009. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
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