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Roy F. Simmons

Posted By Funeral Funeral Futurist On February 20, 2014 @ 12:00 am In Obituaries | 5 Comments

Roy Simmons, a former offensive lineman for the Giants and the Washington Redskins and one of only a handful of N.F.L. players to have said publicly that they were gay — all after their playing careers ended — died Thursday, February 20th, 2014 in his apartment in the Bronx, New York. He was 57.

Roy Franklin Simmons was born on Nov. 8, 1956, in Savannah, Ga., one of six siblings by several fathers. A star at Beach High School, he received scholarship offers from multiple colleges before deciding on Georgia Tech. 

After the Giants drafted him, he brought several of his siblings to live with him in the New York metropolitan area, sometimes cooking their meals before he headed to practice.

Simmons lost his starting job with the Giants during the 1981 season and left the team by choice before the 1982 season. After working as a baggage handler at Kennedy Airport, he tried to return to the Giants in 1983 but did not make the team. The Redskins picked him up, and he played in the Super Bowl, which the Redskins lost to the Los Angeles Raiders, 38-9, in Tampa, Fla.

Simmons played one year in the United States Football League before leaving football in 1985.

He was in and out of drug treatment after leaving football. His brother said he believed that Simmons had received public assistance and financial help from the N.F.L., but that he struggled to get by and lived alone in the Bronx. Simmons sometimes volunteered at polling precincts in the Bronx on Election Days, his brother said.

In addition to his brother Gary, his survivors include his daughter, Kara Jackson; a sister, Katherine; three other brothers, Larry, Ricky and LaTawn; and a grandson. His mother, Norma, died several years ago.

Simmons, a born-again Christian, was the subject of a video profile made by the Christian Broadcasting Network focusing on his growing faith and his efforts to stay sober. The profile suggested that Simmons had come to believe that homosexuality was wrong, but his brother Gary said that was not the case.

“At no time has he ever shied away from being who he was,” Gary Simmons said of his brother’s later life. “Those who knew Roy know where he stood. Roy was a gay black man who came out of the South.”

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Condolences for the family of “Roy F. Simmons”

Condolence from C.J. Neesmith on February 28th, 2014 4:20 pm

A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others. May the love of those around you help you through the days ahead.

May the many fond memories of your loved one provide you with peace and serenity at this time of loss.

Condolence from Charise stimson on September 8th, 2022 11:42 am

Greetings
I loved Roy so Much.I am so Sorry for your loss.We met At Easthampton recovery and he was inspirational in helping me get myself together.He spoke fondly of his family and absolute love for his daughter..Stay Blessed knowing he was loved and he loved you all
Charise Stimson

Condolence from Beverly A. Marshall on March 6th, 2014 4:07 pm

To Roy Simmons Family:
Please accept my deepest sympathy. I met Roy through his aunt Betty. At the time we all lived in Orange, New Jersey. Roy was like a son, he introduced his family and mine to the inside world of professional Football Players and their lifestyle. Trust me, it is much different today. The football players were respectful at all times in the 80’s. Having a professional football player living in Orange New Jersey was delightful. Whenever I asked him to speak at school or a community meeting, he was there. He was only eight years older than my son and everybody was proud of him. Roy will never be forgotton, I am so sorry that I didn’t keep in touch with him personally, however, I always asked bout him. May he rest in peace.

Sincerely,

Beverly A. Marshall – Tate

Condolence from Sheila Jackson on March 21st, 2014 11:18 am

Roy, I am so happy that are now at peace. Your struggles are over and now you can rest. You don’t have to run anymore. I will always remember the boy who hit me and made me cry. The same boy made me laugh as well. We shared many happy times together and they will always be cherished and remembered. I remembered when you wanted to buy a Lincoln Towncar. I told you not to get such an expensive car. “Wait a while” I said. You didn’t listen to me. One morning when you were on your way to the N Y Giants stadium to practice, your Lincoln was gone, stolen. You were devastated. You didn’t go to practice that day and was fined by the Giants. I told you not to get that car. In your book that you gave me, you wrote an inscription to me that said “True love never dies”. You were right. You will be missed and always loved..

I love you always,
Sheila, your Boo

Condolence from Anthony Malizia on December 14th, 2023 6:27 pm

Roy my dear friend Roy I can’t believe you’re gone to me you are in a football player we lived under the same roof for 2 years you are a good man and the stories you had were pretty funny and then seeing you again with John ,Amber and Mike t was just unbelievable I hope everything is good for you up in heaven, milk dud your friend forever Anthony malizia

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