 Simmons (right) talks withBen Roethlisberger prior to a game in 2006 | |||||||
| Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title | Offensive line coach | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born | (1979-03-11)March 11, 1979 (age 46) Ripley, Mississippi, U.S. | ||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||
| Listed weight | 315 lb (143 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school | Ripley (MS) | ||||||
| College | Auburn | ||||||
| NFL draft | 2002: 1st round, 30th overall pick | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
Playing | |||||||
Coaching | |||||||
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| Awards and highlights | |||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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Henry Alexander Kendall Simmons (born March 11, 1979) is an Americanfootball coach and formerguard and former offensive line coach atMiddle Tennessee. He was selected by thePittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the2002 NFL draft.[1] He playedcollege football for theAuburn Tigers. Simmons was also a member of theNew England Patriots andBuffalo Bills.
Simmons grew up inRipley, Mississippi. He was a three-year starter at Ripley (Miss.) High, where he was named an All-State and PrepStar All-America selection as a seniordefensive lineman after a season when he recorded 70 tackles and four sacks, forced five fumbles and returned one for a touchdown. Simmons was named District Defensive Most Valuable Player and was voted Clarion-Ledger "Top 10" and No. 2 offensive line prospect in Mississippi. He was a Commercial Appeal "Mid-South Top 100" and was chosen to play in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game. He also playedbaseball andbasketball.
Before the 2003 season, Simmons was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.[2]
Simmons was a starter during the first two years of his career. After being injured for the entirety of the2004 season, he returned in2005, starting in all 20 regular and postseason games and winningSuper Bowl XL with the Steelers.
Simmons experienced an off-the-field injury during the2006 NFL season. While rehabilitating from a heel injury, Simmons suffered afrostbite-like burn to his left foot after he fell asleep with a cooling device attached to his foot.[3]
On September 3, 2007, Simmons signed a four-year extension with the Steelers, keeping him with the club through the2010 NFL season.
Simmons suffered a season-ending injury to hisAchilles tendon during aMonday Night Football contest against theBaltimore Ravens on September 29, 2008.[4] He was subsequently placed oninjured reserve.
He was released by the Steelers on February 26, 2009.[5]
Simmons signed a three-year contract with theNew England Patriots on September 6, 2009, and was released on November 6, 2009.
Simmons was signed by theBuffalo Bills on November 24, 2009. On December 18, Simmons was placed on Injured Reserve due to a shoulder injury. He announced his retirement from football in 2011, and now lives in Auburn.[6]