Ernie Sims

Ernie Sims III (born December 23, 1984) is an American football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.

Sims has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Indianapolis Colts.

Early years
Sims was an athletic standout at North Florida Christian High School, beginning his football career there by earning a varsity letter on the high school football team while only in the eighth grade, a feat not often heard of. He led his team to four state championships from 1998–2001. Coming out of North Florida Christian High School, in Tallahassee, Sims was considered by most college football publications to be one of the best high school football players, and the best linebacker, in the country. Rivals.com, a high school football recruiting service, named Sims the number one overall high school football player in the country ahead of Reggie Bush. Sims chose to play for Florida State over Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, and Southern California.

College career
In 2003, as a true freshman at Florida State, Sims played in every single game. He finished ninth on the team in tackles and was one of the teams top special teams performers. In 2004, his sophomore year, Sims played in all 12 games, and started the final 11. For his exceptional play on the field in 2004, Sims was named to the second All-ACC team and ESPN named Sims to their first team All-American team. Expectations for his junior year were high, as The Sporting News and other publications named him to their pre-season All-American teams. Sims had a productive, but not spectacular junior season, starting all 13 games, including the Orange Bowl. Sims majored in Environmental Studies at Florida State.

At Florida State, Sims wore #34, a number that was retired in honor of former Seminole football player, Ron Sellers. Sellers gave Sims and the university permission for Sims to wear the jersey number.

In January 2006, Sims announced that he would forgo his senior season to enter the draft.

Detroit Lions
Sims was selected as ninth overall in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. Sims was targeted by Lions general manager Matt Millen to bolster the Lions' defense at weakside linebacker. On July 30, 2006, he signed a 5-year, $15.735 million contract with $12.1 million guaranteed. Sims started all 16 games his rookie season at outside linebacker, collecting 124 tackles (81 solo tackles) and was credited with a half sack and one pass deflection. On December 3, against the New England Patriots, Sims had a career high 13 total tackles. On December 31, Sims made a key tackle on fourth down to give the Lions a big win against the Dallas Cowboys. On September 3, 2007, Sims was named one of five captains for the 2007 Detroit Lions. The Lions former head coach, Rod Marinelli, said that Sims' resembled that of Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks in his early years, being described as a fast, punishing, sure-tackler.

Philadelphia Eagles
Sims was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles on April 19, 2010 in a three-team trade. The Denver Broncos sent tight end Tony Scheffler and a seventh-round draft pick in 2010 to the Detroit Lions, the Lions sent Sims to the Eagles, and the Eagles sent a fifth-round draft pick in 2010 to the Broncos.

Indianapolis Colts
On August 2, 2011, Sims signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an unrestricted free agent.

Dallas Cowboys
After the loss of Sean Lee to injury, on October 24, 2012, the Dallas Cowboys signed him as an unrestricted free agent to provide depth at linebacker. Sims quickly became a starter by his second game (against the Atlanta Falcons) and eventually the unit's defensive play caller, after injuries decimated the position further. He recorded 10 tackles in the Cowboys’ emotional week 14, win against the Cincinnati Bengals, a day after the team received news of the death of Jerry Brown and the arrest of Josh Brent.

Personal
On May 29, 2009, Sims married Brooke McGriff, who is pursuing a degree in Education at a local college.

Sims' mother, Alice Sims, formerly Alice Bennett, was an All-American sprinter on the Florida State track and field team from 1980 through 1983. His younger brother, Marcus Sims, a highly regarded high school running back, announced in February 2006 that he will also play his college football at Florida State before transferring to the University of North Alabama. His father Ernie, Sr. was also a running back at Florida State

Sims owns an extremely large collection of animals: 20 dogs, 28 different types of reptiles, several horses, and a monkey. Fox produced a segment for the Lions' game against the Minnesota Vikings in Detroit in 2007 which showcased his pets.