Simmons' Journey Worth the Effort


	Senior OL Brian Simmons

NORMAN, Okla. -- All too often, spectators don't see the story of the person behind the crimson and cream jersey. For University of Oklahoma offensive lineman Brian Simmons, the road to Norman, Okla., wasn't always an easy one, but it changed him for the better.

During his high school days, Simmons wanted to play football at a higher level and let that take him to college. Born with clubfoot deformity, Simmons had played sports all of his life, despite difficult surgeries and discouraging words from doctors.

"Growing up, I was used to the doctors telling me that I'd never play sports and that it just wasn't a good idea," Simmons said. "I'm glad my family never gave into that and they were always behind me."

As Simmons saw himself going far with his football career, it seemed as if there was a lack of faith and encouragement surrounding him at school. Amidst the adversity, an academic advisor, Debbie Kellogg, saw a lot of potential in Simmons.

"I was going through some really rough times in high school," Simmons said. "That's when I met Mrs. Kellogg. She told me that I really could play football at a high level when all my life I had been told that I couldn't. She really believed in me."

"I was used to doctors

telling me that I'd never

play sports and that it

just wasn't a good idea.

I'm glad my family

never gave into that."

That show of belief and boost of encouragement launched Simmons into a newfound mindset to make goals and go after them. Simmons wrote down a list of goals, took action toward them, and began to check them off the list, one after the other. His goals included earning all-state and all-conference honors, and working hard to pull his grades up.

"I worked with him in high school until he was a junior and showed him that he could set goals," Kellogg said. "Once he sets his mind to something, he can do it. I've just sat back and watched ever since."

While Simmons was reaching his goals, he made a decision to attend Hargrave Academy, a college preparatory Christian military boarding school in Chatham, Va. A few weeks before enrolling, a chance encounter with Jacksonville Jaguars' wide receiver Torry Holt, a native of Simmons' home state of North Carolina and former Hargrave attendee, gave him some insight about the military school experience. Simmons took that with him as he entered a year of hard work and discipline.

By keeping a close relationship with God and writing letters to his mother, Jackie, and Kellogg while attending Hargrave, Simmons adapted and now appreciates the things he learned from the experience.

"It actually prepared me for life," Simmons said. "One thing I liked about it, even though it was just two hours away from home, it prepared me so I could go to school anywhere and not get homesick."

The all-state player received offers to play at several different colleges. For Simmons, his clubfoot deformity never set him back because of the support his family gave him at an early age. He found that same kind of support from the place he would soon call home.

"I'm living proof that if

you put your mind to

something, work at it

and make goals, it

it might not be easy,

but it can be done."

"One thing I'll say about OU, I felt that they were honest with me," Simmons said. "They stood behind me, and I felt like we had a trust and bond. I had one of the most prestigious programs of all-time supporting me with my clubfoot deformity while some mediocre programs backed out."

Although the disciplined ways he learned at Hargrave were hard to pick up as a senior in high school, Simmons' experience there gave him a platform to transition into the life of a Division I student-athlete with much more ease than the typical freshman might experience.

"When he went to Hargrave, he was on his own," his mother explained. "I know he didn't always like being there, but it did prepare him for OU and being away from home. I tell him all the time -- just don't give up."

Now in his senior year in college, Simmons continues to set goals and see his opportunities, with the ultimate goal to play in the National Football League. Even if that doesn't work out, he believes he'll be successful no matter what. Because of the support from others along his journey, Simmons realizes a simple truth.

"I'm living proof that if you really put your mind to something, work at it, make goals and get it done, it might not be easy, but it can be done," Simmons said. "It's like that old cliché, but after living it, you can do something if you really put your mind to it."

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Feature by Stephanie Turner | OU Athletics Media Relations

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