College Georgia Tech Name Dave Simmons 1965-1966 St. Louis Cardinals Role American football player | 1967 New Orleans Saints Positions Linebacker 1968 Dallas Cowboys | |
Date of birth (1943-08-03)August 3, 1943 Place of birth Elizabethtown, Kentucky Education Georgia Institute of Technology | ||
Dave Simmons (August 3, 1943 – November 7, 1994) was a professional American football linebacker in the National Football League for the St. Louis Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Georgia Tech.
Contents
- Early years
- St Louis Cardinals
- New Orleans Saints
- Dallas Cowboys
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Personal life
- References
Early years
Simmons attended Stephen F. Austin High School. He accepted a football scholarship from Georgia Tech where he played at center and linebacker.
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. 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).
Dallas Cowboys
In 1968, after trading main backup linebacker Harold Hays, the Dallas Cowboys acquired Simmons and Jackie Burkett for depth purposes. He appeared in 13 games as a reserve player.
Pittsburgh Steelers
In 1969, he was signed as a free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was released on August 11.
Personal life
Simmons was an ordained Baptist minister. He helped to establish King's Arrow Ranch for troubled children in Lumberton, Mississippi. He started his personal ministry in Little Rock, Arkansas. 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.