JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -Mike Sims-Walker has a new name and new motivation.
It’s about more than getting a contract, securing a starting role or proving he can stay healthy.
It’s all about his dad, who died in early December after a two-year bout with colon cancer. His death was a crushing blow to Sims-Walker, who started playing football because of his father, worked hard at it because of his father and excelled at it because of his father.
“That was the most influential person in my life,” Sims-Walker said. “That was the biggest loss I could have ever took. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here right now.”
Sims-Walker has dedicated this season to his late father. He changed his last name from Walker to Sims-Walker, petitioned the NFL to do the same on his jersey and vowed to honor his father by making a “major comeback.”
He got off to a solid start Thursday night.
in the finale against Washington. He showed speed, good hands and the ability to break tackles – everything the Jaguars expected when they drafted him in the third round in 2007.
It was a welcome change from his first two seasons. Sims-Walker missed all of his rookie year because of a knee injury, then sat out several games last season because of a sprained ligament in his other knee and an ensuing staph infection that required hospitalization.
Just when he was getting healthy again, one of his close friends was fatally stabbed in an Orlando nightclub. It got worse, too.
Sims-Walker returned to Orlando the following week for his friend’s funeral, his father complained about pain and went to the hospital. Believing his father’s trip would be a routine visit to get new medication, Sims-Walker boarded a flight to Chicago to join his teammates for a game.
When he landed, he had a message saying his father wasn’t doing very well. Even then, Sims-Walker figured his dad would pull through. But he died a few hours later, before his son could get back home.
“I think about him every day,” Sims-Walker said. “I know he’s watching down on me and wishing me good luck. And I’m just trying to honor his name and keep doing good.”
The Jaguars are counting on Sims-Walker more than ever.
rter and potentially the cornerstone of the receiving corps.
Sure, Torry Holt appears to be the go-to guy for now, but he’s also 33 years old. And even though Troy Williamson has been impressive this preseason (12 catches for 267 yards and a score), can the Jaguars truly trust him to hang onto the ball?
For Sims-Walker to reach his potential, though, he has to stay healthy.
He’s been hurt each of the last four years – his final two at Central Florida and his first two in Jacksonville – and started training camp by spraining his left ankle. He tweaked it celebrating a TD catch during a scrimmage and missed nearly a month of practice.
“I’ve had so many setbacks,” Sims-Walker said. “There’s just so much (emotion) built up. I’m trying to let it out each week, just go out there and play free and have fun.”
His teammates, at least the ones who know what he’s gone through, were thrilled to see him back on the field.
“He’s dealt with some bumps in the road,” offensive lineman Tony Pashos said. “To see him fighting and competing and doing well was awesome.”
Will it continue? Sims-Walker certainly has the motivation.
“Every time I wake up, I say I had a minor setback but a major comeback,” he said. “I am working my way up this major comeback right now.”
Add A Comment