Former Patriots No. 1 overall pick Kenneth Sims dead at 65

Former New England Patriots No. 1 wide prime Kenneth Sims died connected Friday astatine the property of 65. 

Sims had been battling unwellness and died successful his sleep, per 247sports.

Sims, who was the archetypal prime successful the 1982 NFL Draft, played 8 years successful the NFL, each with the Patriots. Across 74 vocation games, Sims recorded 17 sacks. 

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Defensive lineman Kenneth Sims of the New England Patriots looks connected during the crippled against the St. Louis Cardinals astatine Foxboro Stadium successful Foxboro, Massachusetts, connected Dec. 2, 1984. (George Gojkovich/Getty Images)

Throughout his NFL career, Sims dealt with galore injuries. The lone play successful which helium played successful each crippled was 1984. 

The antiaircraft extremity underwent backmost country successful 1987, which constricted him to 12 games. The pursuing season, successful 1988, helium ruptured his Achilles tendon and played successful conscionable 1 game. 

Sims played 15 games successful 1989 earlier a genu wounded sidelined him for the past game, and helium past retired. 

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New England Patriots antiaircraft extremity Kenneth Sims looks connected during the crippled against the Los Angeles Raiders astatine Foxboro Stadium successful Foxboro, Massachusetts, connected Nov. 10, 1987. (Dick Raphael-USA TODAY Sports)

When Sims was drafted successful 1982, helium became the 3rd Texas Longhorn to beryllium chosen with the apical pick. 

After Sims backed up aboriginal Pro Football Hall of Famers Steve McMichael and Bill Acker during his sophomore play astatine Texas, helium burst onto the country successful his inferior season. Sims recorded 131 tackles and was named All-Southwest Conference and an All-American. 

As a senior, Sims was named All-Southwest Conference and an All-American again, successful summation to being the archetypal Texas Longhorn to ever triumph the Lombardi Award. 

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New England Patriots antiaircraft extremity Kenneth Sims successful enactment against the New York Giants astatine Foxboro Stadium successful Foxboro, Massachusetts, connected Nov. 19, 1989. (Dick Raphael-USA TODAY Sports)

The Lombardi Award is fixed to the assemblage shot lineman who champion exemplifies legendary NFL caput manager Vince Lombardi, focusing connected character, subject and excellence.

Also successful his elder year, Sims was the apical antiaircraft vote-getter for the Heisman Trophy aft having helped Texas to a 10-1-1 grounds and a Cotton Bowl triumph successful 1982. 

During his collegiate career, Sims had 322 tackles, 29 sacks, 50 tackles for loss, 15 forced fumbles, 7 fumble recoveries and 3 blocked kicks.

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