Clyde Simmons

NFL defensive end[25]

What is Clyde Simmons known for?

Born on August 4, 1964, in Lane, South Carolina, U.S., Clyde Simmons Jr. is best known as an American football player and coach. After making his marks at New Hanover High School, he furthered his studies and football career at Western Carolina University, where he led the Catamounts to the 1983 NCAA Division I-AA National Championship game. His college football exploits earned him induction into the Western Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992.

Simmons was drafted in the ninth round of the 1986 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He spent eight seasons (1986-1993) with the Eagles before playing for the Arizona Cardinals (1994–1995), Jacksonville Jaguars (1996–1997), Cincinnati Bengals (1998), and the Chicago Bears (1999–2000). Notably, Simmons led the NFL with 19 sacks in 1992 and finished his career 11th all time on the NFL sack list, with 121.5. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1991 and 1992. Simmons also made headlines for returning an interception for a touchdown against Jim Kelly and the Buffalo Bills in the 1996 NFL Playoffs.

Apart from his playing career, Simmons transitioned into coaching, starting at Greater Atlanta Christian School in 2008 as the defensive line coach. He later accepted Rex Ryan's offer to serve as a fellowship coach with the New York Jets in 2010, and notably, he was an assistant defensive line coach for the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams. During his tenure with the Rams, the team achieved 217 total sacks. Simmons worked with notable players, including three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle and the 2014 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Aaron Donald, and defensive end Robert Quinn, who set a single-season franchise record with 19 sacks in 2013. In January 2017, Simmons joined the Cleveland Browns to coach their defensive line, and as of 2021, he is the defensive line coach for the Tennessee State Tigers.

In recognition of his significance as a player, Simmons received accolades such as being named twice First-team All-Pro (1991, 1992), selected twice for the Pro Bowl (1991, 1992), NFL forced fumbles co-leader (1995), and NFL sacks leader (1992). He was also honored with inclusion in the Philadelphia Eagles 75th Anniversary Team and the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame.

Learn more about Clyde Simmons on his Pro Football Reference page, or check out his NFL.com profile.