Mickey Sims, Former Cleveland Browns Tackle
Bill Schenley
FROM: The Cleveland Plain Dealer ~
By Wally Guenther, Reporter
Mickey Sims, 51, who died Wednesday, was a former defensive tackle for the
Cleveland Browns who became a Cleveland Metroparks ranger after his foot
ball playing days were over.
Sims collapsed and died of a heart attack while working a second job as a
security guard on Cuyahoga Community College's Western Campus in Parma, his
family said.
The 6-foot-5, 280-pound tackle was selected by the Browns in the fourth
round of the 1977 NFL draft. He had been a Kodak All-American at South
Carolina State.
Sims replaced an injured Jerry Sherk at the start of the 1977 season. He had
19 tackles that year and gained a reputation as a big playmaker, according
to the Browns' media guide.
When Sherk came back to the lineup, Sims returned to a backup role.
He was released by the Browns in 1980.
His son, Rob, was a freshman offensive lineman for the 2002 national
champion Ohio State football team, and was drafted this spring by the
Seattle Seahawks.
He left the Seahawks minicamp to be with his family this week.
Sims joined the Metroparks rangers in 1980 as an off-season job from
football. He worked as a ranger for the past 27 years, and was promoted to
sergeant in 1998. He took a second job with CCC about 10 years ago, his son
said.
Though weighing an imposing 375 pounds in recent years, according to his
son, he was known for his calm demeanor.
"Sims was a mentor to many [rangers], and a friend to all," said Gregory
Loftus, chief of the Metroparks rangers.
Other colleagues said Sims was greatly admired and a good supervisor for the
rangers who reported to him in his division.
The Macedonia resident recently worked primarily in the Metroparks
Brecksville reservation, but also saw duties in other Metroparks
reservations.
Dianna Kall, a spokeswoman for the Metroparks, said that in Sims' honor a
tree will be bought by the rangers through the Metroparks Legacy program and
planted at the North Chagrin Reservation office.
Sims was born in Union, S.C. His father was a textile plant worker. His
mother became a Pittsburgh Steelers fan when another South Carolina State
graduate, Donnie Shell, became a Steelers safety. Shell was three years
ahead of Sims.
Sims received a degree in physical education from South Carolina State.
He was a longtime deacon with the Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church,
8915 Miles Park Ave., Cleveland.
Sims and his wife were married 26 years.
Robert A. "Mickey" Sims
1955 - 2006
Survivors: wife, Brenda; a son, Rob, of Macedonia; a daughter, Robyn, of
Macedonia; six sisters; and two brothers
Services: 11 a.m. today, Mount Zion of Oakwood Village, 1 Mount Zion Circle,
Oakwood
Arrangements: E.F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home and Crematory, 25900 Emery Road,
Warrensville Heights.
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