CHENEY – Twice a day each 90-degree day, Rob Sims pushes his 6-foot-4, 310-pound body through every drill and every scrimmage. Meetings are endless. By night, he studies page after page of the exhaustive Seahawk playbook.
There are times, however, when his mind wanders home to his father, Robert “Mickey” Sims, who died of a heart attack at 51. He died June 7, while his son was at minicamp. Just six weeks prior, Rob and his family were in church as the Seahawks announced Sims would be their choice in the fourth-round of the NFL Draft, just as his father was with the Cleveland Browns 30 years ago.
He was a gentle man, Mickey Sims was. At 350 pounds, he was referred to as “The Gentle Giant.” He was quick with a joke and a grin. He was spiritual. Humble. He was a popular sergeant with the Cleveland Metroparks Ranger Department.
Those are the difficult times, when Sims has those thoughts. Mickey Sims should be here to watch his son in his first NFL training camp, just as he watched him in every game in his four years at Ohio State.
But in a way, he is watching.
“We talk all the time,” Robb Sims said. “I have my good days and my bad days. I just try to come out and make him as happy as possible, to let him know that I’m doing the best I can.”
Mickey Sims had his chance in the NFL, having played three seasons with the Browns. Eventually, lack of conditioning caught up with the elder Sims, and the Browns released him.
He prodded his son through that scenario. He told his son to stay motivated and hungry, to never take what he had for granted, as he did. His son listened. No one questions his work ethic.
“I try not to take anything for granted or complain that it’s hot or I’m tired,” Sims said. “He taught me that. He got a little cocky and he didn’t want me to. I wish he were here to see it, but really, he’s with me every day, every second. My job is to go out and play and be the man he wanted me to be.”
All indications are that he’s doing his job well. Listed behind Pork Chop Womack at left guard, Sims’ skills are advanced for a rookie, just weeks into training camp. In fact, the coaching staff considered starting him Saturday against the Cowboys, after Womack pulled a hamstring.
Ultimately, the coaches chose second-year man Chris Spencer, rather than throw Sims to the wolves.
“He’s got skills,” offensive line coach Bill Laveroni said of Sims. “He works hard and he’s smart. I like what he’s doing.”
Sims certainly has the teachers. Left tackle Walter Jones and center Robbie Tobeck were in the Pro Bowl last season. Right guard Chris Gray had his best season. Right tackle Sean Locklear is one of the top young players at his position.
“Watching Walt and Robbie and Chop has been a tremendous help for me,” Sims said. “I’m just fortunate to play with guys as good as they are. I thought last year that they were one of the best offensive lines in the league.
“You get kind of intimidated when you get into a situation like this. Walt’s going to be in the Hall of Fame. To come in and play with those guys is a real honor.”
Somewhere, Robert “Mickey” Sims must be smiling.
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