Travis Simpson

Simpson was born on November 19, 1963, in Norman, Oklahoma.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SimpTr20.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Travis Simpson Stats|access-date=October 17, 2024}} He grew up an Oklahoma Sooners fan, having "first pulled on a Sooner football helmet" at age seven, after receiving one from Oklahoma assistant coach Warren Harper.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/157328613/|newspaper=Fort Myers News-Press|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 17, 1985|page=39|title=Winning at Oklahoma? No Sooner said than done|author=Moschella, Nick}} {{Open access}} He attended Norman High School and was the school's fourth alumnus to play in the NFL.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93b97b43|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Norman (Norman, OK) Alumni Pro Stats|access-date=October 17, 2024}} At Norman, he played football and was a multi-year starter at both center and linebacker, being an All-State performer.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-oklahoman/157328900/|newspaper=The Daily Oklahoman|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 5, 1981|page=71|title=4A-4 Facts, Figures}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-oklahoman/157329119/|newspaper=The Daily Oklahoman|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 6, 1985|page=77|title=OU Center Made Most of Chance|author=Lund, Brad}} {{Open access}} He signed to play college football for the Oklahoma Sooners.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world/157329199/|newspaper=Tulsa World|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 11, 1982|page=62|title=Big Four Football Recruits}} {{Open access}}

Simpson lettered at Oklahoma as a freshman in 1983, serving as a second-string center.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/s/simp03000.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Travis Simpson Stats|access-date=October 17, 2024}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-oklahoman/157331887/|newspaper=The Daily Oklahoman|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 8, 1983|page=28|title=Watts Won't Be a Sooner During '83}} {{Open access}} After remaining a backup during the 1984 season, he became a starter in 1985 following an injury to Paul Ferrer. However, he battled injuries that year, starting with a hyperextended elbow against Minnesota. Injuries later resulted in him missing games against Texas and Miami, and an ankle injury ended his season at the start of December.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-oklahoman/157332916/|newspaper=The Daily Oklahoman|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 3, 1985|page=58|title=Simpson Returns to OU Drills}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world/157333030/|newspaper=Tulsa World|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 5, 1985|page=24|title=Ponies' Ball Causes Concern for Sooners|author=Henry, Clay}} {{Open access}} The 1985 Sooners compiled an 11–1 record, winning the Big Eight Conference championship and the national championship.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/oklahoma/1985.html|website=Sports-Reference.com|title=1985 Oklahoma Sooners Stats|access-date=October 17, 2024}}

Simpson remained a starter for his senior season but his ankle injury from the previous year was described as "severe" and resulted in his 40-yard dash time dropping from 4.6-seconds to 5.0-seconds.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-oklahoman/157333340/|newspaper=The Daily Oklahoman|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 31, 1986|page=48|title=Defense Still Key Factor In OU's Season Outlook}} {{Open access}} In his last year at Oklahoma, he was the only senior starting on the offensive line, helping the team compile another 11–1 record while winning the Big Eight championship and the 1987 Orange Bowl.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/oklahoma/1986.html|website=Sports-Reference.com|title=1986 Oklahoma Sooners Stats}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world/157333457/|newspaper=Tulsa World|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 17, 1986|page=194|title=OU Linemen in Happy Situation: No One Knows Who They Are|author=Krehbiel, Randy}} {{Open access}} Simpson was selected to the Big Eight All-Academic team and second-team All-Big Eight.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world/157333775/|newspaper=Tulsa World|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 12, 1986|page=25|title=Bosworth All-Academic|agency=Associated Press}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-oklahoman/157333835/|newspaper=The Daily Oklahoman|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 3, 1986|page=102|title=Late Knight With The Boz Pushed Back|author=Hersom, Bob}} {{Open access}} He was also named honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-news/157334545/|newspaper=The Miami News|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 4, 1986|page=26|title=Football}} {{Open access}}

Following the 1987 NFL draft, Simpson signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/transactions/s/simp03000.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Travis Simpson NFL Transactions|access-date=October 17, 2024}} He was released on August 31, 1987.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-oklahoman/157334055/|newspaper=The Daily Oklahoman|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 1, 1987|page=22|title=Pro Football}} {{Open access}} In September, the NFL Players Association went on strike and each team assembled rosters of replacement players; Simpson signed to be a replacement player with the Green Bay Packers on September 23.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-oklahoman/157334123/|newspaper=The Daily Oklahoman|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 27, 1987|page=100|title=Football}} {{Open access}} He made his NFL debut in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings and ended up playing in all three strike games as a backup center, before being released on October 19, at the end of the strike.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SimpTr20/gamelog/|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Travis Simpson Career Game Log|access-date=October 17, 2024}} Simpson signed with the Miami Dolphins on March 23, 1988, to play guard.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald/157334319/|newspaper=The Miami Herald|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 25, 1988|page=211|title=Dolphins sign 15 free agents}} {{Open access}} He was released on August 28, 1988. He later returned to the Dolphins, being signed on August 2, 1989, only to be released on August 21, marking the end of his professional career. He finished his NFL career with three games played, all as a backup.

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Category:1963 births

Category:Living people

Category:Players of American football from Norman, Oklahoma

Category:American football centers

Category:Oklahoma Sooners football players

Category:Indianapolis Colts players

Category:Green Bay Packers players

Category:Miami Dolphins players

Category:20th-century American sportsmen

Category:Norman High School alumni