Kenneth Sims, who was drafted as the No. 1 overall pick by the New England Patriots in the 1982 NFL Draft and was a standout player at the University of Texas, has passed away at 65 years old. His passing was confirmed by the Patriots on social media, revealing he died in his sleep at his home after battling an illness.

“Very sad day with the passing of our Longhorn Legend and College Football Hall of Famer Kenneth Sims,” the official Texas Football account posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Our thoughts & prayers go out to his family, friends, and teammates.”

Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2021, Sims had a remarkable college career, recording 131 tackles and earning All-American honors in his junior season. He was the first Longhorn to win the Lombardi Award and was a top defensive vote-getter for the Heisman Trophy.

During his tenure with the Patriots, which spanned eight seasons, Sims played 74 games, contributing significantly on the defensive line. He suffered a leg injury in the 1985 season, missing Super Bowl XX.

The Patriots expressed their deep sadness regarding Sims’ passing, stating he will be greatly missed.