Here is a guy who used to mix it up quite a bit too. BTW Frank Winters got in more fights in Camp than just about any Packer player in history -- but I guess you probably wanted him cut too.
Simmons was larger-than-life figure
By MARTIN HENDRICKS
Editor's note: The 2006 NFL season marks the 10th anniversary of the 1996 Green Bay Packers, who finished the regular season at 13-3 and went on to defeat New England in Super Bowl XXXI. Over the next several issues, Packer Plus, in its "Flashback" feature, will focus on a different member of that championship team.
"When I line up across from you, I will destroy you and I will crush you."
That statement from Wayne Simmons in the 1997 Green Bay Packers media guide reflected the intensity and attitude of the former linebacker, who played for the Packers from 1993-1997.
In August 2002, Simmons was killed in a one-car crash on Interstate 70 at about 2:45 a.m. in Independence, Mo. Simmons reportedly was driving alone at a high rate of speed and was weaving his Mercedes-Benz through traffic when he lost control and his vehicle went off the road.
According to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports, his car rolled over several times and landed in a ditch before the engine caught fire. Witnesses tried to rescue Simmons from the burning vehicle, but could not unfasten his seat belt. He was extricated from the wreckage by firefighters and pronounced dead at Independence Regional Health Center.
Simmons, a 6-foot-3, 250-pound left outside or "Buck" linebacker, was a fierce competitor who enjoyed his reputation as one of the nastiest players in the National Football League.
Just ask teammate Frank Winters, the former Packer center who shared the same reputation.
"I played every down like it was my last, that's the only way I knew how to play football," Winters said. "Wayne was just an intense guy who played hard, whether in games or at practice. It was just his nature. He brought a certain toughness and presence to our defense at a time when we needed it.
"He was an intense guy off the field, too. He loved to have fun and party, was always loud, and liked to joke around with his teammates. He lived life at a fast pace. He worked hard and played hard."
Winters said as he gets older, he reflects on the loss of some of the key members on the Packers Super Bowl-winning team of 1996.
"As I sit back and think about it, we've lost some people from that team," Winters said. "First Fritz (Shurmur, defensive coordinator) to cancer, then Wayne to an unfortunate accident, and then Reggie White.
"You hate to see such great people pass away tragically. It makes me think back to all the moments we had and enjoy them, because it all goes by so fast."
Winters said Simmons did not get along with every member of the coaching staff, but he was a favorite of Shurmur's.
"I think Fritz liked his 'hard-***' kind of attitude," Winters said. "I remember on the sidelines of some games, Fritz would yell at Wayne and Wayne would yell right back. After the game, they're hugging each other in the locker room. I think Fritz really loved Wayne for who he was and how he played the game. They seemed to feed off each other.
"Wayne didn't get along perfectly with everybody - if it were up to Wayne we'd be hitting in practice 24/7, and that's not the way Coach Holmgren wanted it done."
In his five-year Green Bay career, he played in 64 games, including starting in the Packers' 35-21 victory over New England in Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans.
Six games into the 1997 season, Simmons was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs as the Packers coaches decided to go with Seth Joyner as their starter.
"Wayne was one of the most physical guys in the league, especially at the point of attack," said LeRoy Butler, former Packer safety.
"I remember hearing that he died on a sports channel, and then getting a call from a former teammate, George Koonce. Once Wayne arrived in Green Bay, we never had a problem with the tight end again. His claim to fame was that he was a tough guy. He took out one or two guys on a play, which allowed me to make some plays on defense."
Butler said he remembers Simmons' stellar play against the San Francisco 49ers in the 1995 NFC divisional playoff game.
"He took Brent Jones, a Pro Bowl player, right out of the game," Butler said.
Simmons also set the tone for the game on the 49ers' first offensive play, leveling fullback Adam Walker on a screen pass. The ensuing fumble was scooped up and returned 31 yards for a touchdown by rookie cornerback Craig Newsome.
The physical play of the Packer defense created four turnovers and pressured San Francisco quarterback Steve Young all afternoon, as Green Bay shocked the reigning Super Bowl champions by a 27-17 margin.
Simmons had a career game, accounting for a personal best 16 tackles (11 solo) and a quarterback sack.
"Wayne Simmons was an intense, all-out football player, probably the most intense player I've ever encountered," said Lee Remmel, team historian. "He was very committed to the game of football and had a productive career with the Packers."
Simmons was the Packers' No. 1 draft choice in 1993 after stellar collegiate play at Clemson and as an all-state high school player at Hilton Head (S.C.) High School.
He overcame a pre-season knee injury in 1993 to start eight games and play in 14. Simmons earned NFL all-rookie honors for his play, which included 39 tackles, one sack, and two interceptions.
The 1994 season was one to forget, as Simmons sprained his left knee in the third pre-season game and was inactive for the Packers first four regular-season games. In his absence, Bryce Paup flourished and became the starter, earning Pro Bowl honors. Simmons appeared in 12 games and started one, and was a key contributor to special teams.
Paup was lured away from Green Bay by Buffalo for a multi-million-dollar contract after the season, paving the way for Simmons to excel in 1995. He started all 16 regular season and three playoff games, finishing as the Packers' second-leading tackler with a career-high 103, including 68 solo.
The athletic linebacker lived up to his potential, wreaking havoc with his physical brand of play and ability to make the big play. He had a career-high four sacks and five passes defended, along with a forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
In an article by Gary D'Amato of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in the 1995 Packer Yearbook, Shurmur said Simmons "has worked extremely hard - I mean really, really hard. He has worked his butt off from a physical standpoint. Mentally, he's really tuned in."
Winters said Simmons "had a great season and was a key member of our defense. And he was one of our vocal leaders every Sunday. He came into his own in 1995."
Simmons was a key contributor to the Packers' 1996 Super Bowl team, and tested free agency before resigning with the Packers after a long conversation with coach Mike Holmgren. The Packers traded Simmons to Kansas City on October 7, 1997
