Corey Simon

{{Short description|American football player and politician (born 1977)}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Corey Simon

| image = Senator Corey Simon.jpg

| state_senate = Florida

| district = 3rd

| term_start = November 8, 2022

| preceded = Loranne Ausley

| birth_name = Corey Jermaine Simon

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1977|3|2|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Pompano Beach, Florida, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| spouse = {{marriage|Natasha Givens|March 3, 2001}}

| children = 1

| education = Florida State University

| party = Republican

| website = https://simonforflorida.com/

|module = {{Infobox NFL biography

| embed = yes

| position = Defensive tackle

| number = 90, 97, 96

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 0

| weight_lbs = 320

| high_school = Blanche Ely
(Pompano Beach, Florida)

| college = Florida State (1996–1999)

| draftyear = 2000

| draftround = 1

| draftpick = 6

| pastteams = * Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|2000}}–{{NFL Year|2004}})

Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|2005}}–{{NFL Year|2006}})
Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2007}})

| highlights = *Super Bowl champion (XLI)

| statlabel1 = Total tackles

| statvalue1 = 246

| statlabel2 = Sacks

| statvalue2 = 32.0

| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles

| statvalue3 = 9

| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries

| statvalue4 = 3

| pfr = SimoCo00

}}

Corey Jermaine Simon Sr. (born March 2, 1977) is an American politician and former professional football player. A member of the Republican Party, he has served as the Florida State Senator from the 3rd district since 2022. He played as a defensive tackle for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL).

He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles, earned consensus All-American honors, and was a member of a BCS National Championship team. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the sixth overall pick in the 2000 NFL draft, and he played professionally for the Eagles, Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans. He was selected to the 2004 Pro Bowl.

Early life

Simon was born in Pompano Beach, Florida. He attended Blanche Ely High School, where he played for the Ely Mighty Tigers high school football team. As a senior, he was the Miami Herald's defensive player of the year, named to the All-USA squad by USA Today, and a Super Prep Dream Team selection.

College career

Simon accepted an athletic scholarship to attend Florida State University, where he played for coach Bobby Bowden's Seminoles teams from 1996 to 1999. He was considered to be the most dominating defensive lineman in college football. Following his senior season, Simon was a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) selection, and was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American.2011 NCAA Football Records Book, [http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2011/Awards.pdf Award Winners], National Collegiate Athletic Association, Indianapolis, Indiana, p. 11 (2011). Retrieved June 25, 2012. He was also a finalist for the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy. He ended his career at FSU by helping his team win a BCS National Championship. His 44 tackles behind the line of scrimmage tied the Seminoles' career record set by Ron Simmons.

Professional career

=Philadelphia Eagles=

File:Corey Simon DF-SD-07-04212 crop.JPG

The Philadelphia Eagles selected him in the first round (sixth pick overall) of the 2000 NFL draft, and he played for the Eagles from 2000 until 2004.{{Cite web |title=2000 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2000/draft.htm |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He started in four NFC Championship games during his six seasons with the Eagles. Philadelphia reached the Super Bowl once during these years, losing Super Bowl XXXIX to the New England Patriots, 24–21. After the 2004 season, the Eagles placed the franchise tag on Simon,{{cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2005/02/11/dt-simon-is-tagged-by-eagles/|title=DY Simon is tagged by Eagles|work=Tampa Bay Times|date=February 11, 2005|access-date=December 23, 2022}} which he refused to sign. After contract negotiations failed to produce a long-term deal, the Eagles lifted the franchise tag, making Simon an unrestricted free agent.{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/titans-sign-former-colt-dt-simon-09000d5d801e60c1|title=Denfensive tackle become unrestricted free agent|work=ESPN|first=Len|last=Pasquarelli|date=August 29, 2005|access-date=December 23, 2022}}

=Indianapolis Colts=

Simon signed with the Indianapolis Colts, for whom he played the entire 2005 season. In 2006, Simon underwent surgery, was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform / Non-Football Injury list during training camp, and did not play in any games. He did not attend Super Bowl XLI with other inactive players. However, he was still delivered a ring. He was once coined "the missing piece to the Super Bowl puzzle".

On August 1, 2007, Colts owner Jim Irsay stated that Simon's release from the team was imminent, once a settlement could be reached. The team announced Simon's release on August 4.{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/colts-terminate-corey-simon-s-contract-09000d5d80134bcb|title=Colts terminate Corey Simon's contract|website=NFL.com|date=August 4, 2007|access-date=December 23, 2022}}

=Tennessee Titans=

On August 28, 2007, the Tennessee Titans signed Simon.{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/titans-sign-former-colt-dt-simon-09000d5d801e60c1|title=Titans sign former Colt DT Simon|website=NFL.com|date=August 28, 2007|access-date=December 23, 2022}} On October 25, Simon announced that he was retiring from professional football after eight seasons in the NFL because of polyarthritis.{{cite news|last=Walker|first=Teresa M.|title=Titans' Corey Simon announces retirement|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/2007-10-25-1490953229_x.htm|publisher=USA TODAY|access-date=April 30, 2011|date=October 26, 2007}}

NFL career statistics

class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

! colspan="2"| Legend

style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|

| Won the Super Bowl

style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|

| Led the league

Bold

| Career high

rowspan="2"\| Year ! rowspan="2"\| Team ! rowspan="2"\| GP ! colspan="4"\| Tackles ! colspan="2"\| Fumbles ! colspan="6"\| Interceptions
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Cmb	Solo	Ast	Sck	FF	FR	Int	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	PD
2000 \|\| PHI \| 16 \|\| 52 \|\| 38 \|\| 14 \|\| 9.5 \|\| 2 \|\| 1 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 3
2001 \|\| PHI \| 16 \|\| 47 \|\| 36 \|\| 11 \|\| 7.5 \|\| 4 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 3
2002 \|\| PHI \| 14 \|\| 40 \|\| 33 \|\| 7 \|\| 2.0 \|\| 0 \|\| 1 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 3
2003 \|\| PHI \| 16 \|\| 40 \|\| 32 \|\| 8 \|\| 7.5 \|\| 2 \|\| 1 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 2
2004 \|\| PHI \| 16 \|\| 32 \|\| 26 \|\| 6 \|\| 5.5 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 1
2005 \|\| IND \| 13 \|\| 34 \|\| 25 \|\| 9 \|\| 0.0 \|\| 1 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 2
2006 \|\| style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"\|IND \| 0 \|\| colspan="12"\| did not play
2007 \|\| TEN \| 4 \|\| 1 \|\| 0 \|\| 1 \|\| 0.0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0
colspan="2"\| Total{{cite web\|title=Corey Simon Stats\|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/2137/corey-simon\|work=ESPN\|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures\|access-date=March 21, 2014}} \|\| 95 \|\| 246 \|\| 190 \|\| 56 \|\| 32.0 \|\| 9 \|\| 3 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 14

Political career

On June 13, 2022, Simon announced his candidacy for Florida's Third senatorial district, running as a Republican against Democrat Loranne Ausley, after serving as CEO of Volunteer Florida.{{cite web|url=https://eu.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2022/06/14/corey-simon-versus-sen-loranne-ausley-tallahassees-senate-seat-florida/7617926001/|title=Former FSU football star hopes to ride 'a really big red wave' over Sen. Loranne Ausley|work=Tallahassee Democrat|first=James|last=Call|date=June 14, 2022|access-date=December 23, 2022}} Due to redistricting, the Florida Legislature redrew Florida's Third senatorial district boundaries to the east and reduced the Democratic advantage seen in previous elections. Simon had the backing and was recruited by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and Senator Ben Albritton,{{cite web|url=https://www.wctv.tv/2022/06/14/former-fsu-nfl-standout-corey-simon-run-florida-office/|title=Former FSU and NFL standout Corey Simon to run for Florida office|website=WCTV|first=David|last=Johnson|date=June 14, 2022|access-date=December 23, 2022}} due to his association with Florida State University football. Simon canceled a debate with the Tallahassee Democrat and the League of Women Voters, labeling them a "liberal farce".{{cite web|url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/10/14/loranne-ausley-gun-ad-corey-simon-biden-comment-latest-attack-lines/10464899002/|title=Election denialism and 'racist implications': Ausley and Simon on the attack over attack ads|work=Tallahassee Democrat|first=James|last=Call|date=October 14, 2022|access-date=December 23, 2022}} Simon also accused Ausley and the Florida Democratic Party of funding racist advertisements depicting photos of children with nearby bullet holes and targets, as well as Simon in a target frame with stray bullets to the side. The flyer was produced by the Florida Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, led by Minority Leader Lauren Book. Simon campaigned heavily against votes Ausley made during her time in the Florida Legislature such as voting against the Fairness in Women's Sports Act (SB 1028) which specifies that an athletic team or sport that is designated for females, women, or girls may not be open to students of the male sex, based on the student's biological sex listed on the student's official birth certificate at the time of birth.{{cite web|url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/10/28/loranne-ausley-vs-corey-simon-florida-senate-race-goes-down-wire/10595078002/|title=Ausley vs. Simon: Amid a GOP ad barrage, Florida Senate Democrats bank on 'personal' touch|work=Tallahassee Democrat|first=James|last=Call|date=October 28, 2022|access-date=December 23, 2022}} Simon also repeatedly went after her vote against the Parental Rights in Education Act, which prohibits "classroom instruction" on sexual orientation or gender identity in "kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards". On November 8, 2022, Simon defeated Ausley in the general election with 53% of the vote.{{cite web|url=https://news.wfsu.org/wfsu-local-news/2022-11-08/republican-corey-simon-defeats-sen-ausley-in-sd3-race|title=Republican Corey Simon defeats Sen. Ausley in SD3 race|website=WFSU News|first=Valerie|last=Crowder|date=November 8, 2022|access-date=December 23, 2022}} Simon is the first African American Republican State Senator from Florida since Reconstruction.

=Electoral history=

==2022==

{{Election box begin no change|title=Florida Senate District 3 – General Election{{Cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/8/2022&DATAMODE= |title=Florida Department of State - Election Results}}}}{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|candidate=Corey Simon|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=113,477|percentage=52.98%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Loranne Ausley (incumbent)|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=100,696|percentage=47.02%}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=214,173|percentage=100.00%}}

{{Election box gain with party link no swing

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

| loser = Democratic Party (United States)

}}{{Election box end}}

==2024==

{{Election box begin no change|title=Florida Senate District 3 – General Election{{Cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/5/2024&DATAMODE= |title=Florida Department of State - Election Results}}}}{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|candidate=Corey Simon|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=154,515|percentage=55.67%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Daryl Parks|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=123,025|percentage=44.33%}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}{{Election box end}}

Personal life

In 2001, Simon married Natasha Givens.{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.info/nflmedia/news/2000news/corey%20simon.htm|title=Media Alert - Corey Simon|website=nfl.info|date=March 2, 2001|access-date=December 23, 2022}} Together, the couple have a son, Corey Jr. (born 2003).{{cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2003/01/14/eagles-have-jets-to-thank/|title=Eagles have Jets to thank|work=St. Petersburg Times|first=Kevin|last=Kelly|date=January 13, 2003|access-date=February 27, 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030216144021/http://www.sptimes.com:80/2003/01/14/Bucs/Eagles_have_Jets_to_t.shtml|archivedate=February 16, 2003|url-status=dead|quote=In addition to sacking Michael Vick in Philadelphia's 20-6 win against the Falcons, the Florida State product became a father when wife Natasha gave birth to a boy, Corey Jr., at 5:30 a.m. "It was the best day of my life," Simon said. "You can throw the game out. My son being born was the best day of my life. Winning that game was whipped cream on top of it, just icing on the cake. When I went home and saw my wife and kid, it put things in perspective. Life is bigger than wins and losses."}} He lives in Tallahassee.{{cite web|url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/588603-corey-simon-endorses-evan-power-for-florida-gop-chair/|title=Corey Simon endorses Evan Power for Florida GOP Chair|work=Florida Politics|date=February 15, 2023|last=Ogles|first=Jacob|accessdate=February 27, 2023}}