Simmons a long-shot for Seahawks

RENTON — Shane Simmons is the longest of long shots at Seahawks training camp.

The second-year linebacker was only added to the team this week when another reserve linebacker went down with an injury, and he could very well just be keeping a seat warm for first-round draft pick Aaron Curry, who has not yet signed.

Simmons starred for a Division-II college team that has since cut its program — and don’t even get him started on that topic. He has some strong words for Western Washington University administrators: “It’s horrible, it sucks, it’s frustrating.”

Simmons was undrafted out of college, spent a couple of months with Oakland last season before being released, and has been working as a personal trainer at a 24-Hour Fitness in Kent.

“I’m a long shot, but that’s kind of what I’ve always been coming out of Western, I’m used to it,” he said. “I’m a long shot and nobody expects much of anything from me, but hopefully I can just go out and do my thing.”

Even if this stint with the Seahawks is a brief one, Simmons is thrilled to still be on a football field.

“I just love the game of football,” he said. “It’s something I’ve been doing forever. This is what I do, and it’s one of those things where I’ll take every opportunity I can and play as long as I can, and just see where it takes me.”

And to think, Simmons almost gave up on football years ago. Now he’s fighting to stay in the game.

A standout at Kentlake High School, Simmons originally went to Idaho. During his freshman season in 2004, teammate and close friend Eric McMillan was murdered. Simmons didn’t play another game for Idaho. He returned to Kent, and for a while he thought he was done with football.

“That definitely ran through my head,” said Simmons, who prefers not to talk about his friend’s death and that time in his life.

While watching football on TV back home, Simmons started to think about playing once again. His high school coach, Mark Torgerson, was friends with then Western coach Rob Smith, and when Simmons decided he was ready to give football another try, Torgerson called Smith. Smith stopped by Kent on his way back to Bellingham from a recruiting trip in Vancouver, Wash., and Simmons was sold on the Vikings.

“I just got that itch again,” he said. “I went up there and loved it, and that’s where I ended up. And now I’m here.”

And yes, Simmons most likely won’t be wearing a Seahawks jersey when the season starts next month. He knows he’s fighting an uphill battle.

But for someone who almost walked away from football five years ago, just being back on the field with some of the game’s best players is a pretty good reward for returning to football.

“I’m definitely glad I gave it a second chance,” he said.

Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com. For more Seahawks coverage, check out the Seahawks blog at heraldnet.com/seahawksblog

Talk to us

More in Sports

Arlington players react to forcing another turnover during the game against Stanwood on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Associated Press high school football poll for Week 6

Arlington and Monroe both move up in Class 3A.

Lynnwood players and head coach Annalise Mudaliar celebrate during a volleyball game between Lynnwood and Shorecrest at Shorecrest High School in Shoreline, Washington on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. Lynnwood took the win. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Lynnwood volleyball sweeps Shorecrest in battle of Wesco 3A/2A unbeatens

The Royals complete their 10th straight sweep; Sammy Holmer delivers 12 kills in a top-tier league showdown.

The Everett Elite Flag Football 14-under team practices Sunday morning at Harbour Pointe Middle School in Mukilteo, Washington on January 16, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Community roundup: Jackson grad takes 1st, sets record at cross country meet

Plus, locals earn NWAC weekly honors and Daniel Arias joins NFL practice squad.

Fall prep sports roundup.
Prep roundup for Tuesday, Oct. 3

Prep roundup for Tuesday, Oct. 3: (Not for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) fumbles the ball as he is sacked by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. (97) during the second quarter Monday. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Grading the Seahawks in their 24-3 victory over the Giants

Seattle’s defense shows up big as the Seahawks head into their bye on a three-game winning streak.

Monroe junior receiver Aaron Clifton checks for defenders while taking a long reception to the house against Mountlake Terrace on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at Monroe High School in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep football power rankings after Week 5

Here are our top 8 local teams after all the action from Thursday and Friday.

X
Silvertips name leadership group, but no captain yet

Everett lists Ty Gibson, Kaden Hammell, Ben Hemmerling and Austin Roest as alternate captains, but will wait to assign the “C”.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Sept. 25-30

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Sept. 25-30. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Fall prep sports roundup.
Prep roundup for Monday, Oct. 2

Prep roundup for Monday, Oct. 2: (Not for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Monroe’s Mason Davis (1) celebrates with Trent Bublitz (11) after Bublitz’s touchdown reception against Edmonds-Woodway on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, at Edmonds School District Stadium in Edmonds, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Reader poll: Make your picks for Week 6 prep football games

Do you think you can beat the experts in our weekly high… Continue reading

X
Who’s that frog? A local high school tennis player, that’s who

Arlington tennis player Robbie Balderas worked as AquaSox mascot Webbly this season, and the busy junior also runs a landscaping business.