Jeffery Simmons
TENNESSEE TITANS
| Position | College | Years in the NFL |
|---|---|---|
| Defensive Tackle | Mississippi State University | 7 |
Excellence on the Field:
Simmons is a three-time Pro-Bowler, five-time team captain and the anchor of the Titans defense. Since he was drafted in 2019, he has recorded more games played and more starts than any other Titans player. As of the completion of Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season, Jeffery Simmons led all defensive tackles in sacks (4.5), and tackles for loss (8), tied for third in tackles (30) and ranked fifth in quarterback pressures (23). Last season, Simmons recorded his fourth consecutive season with at least five sacks. Since 2021, when his streak began, he has been one of three defensive tackles to register at least five sacks in each season. Since Simmons entered the league in 2019, he ranks in the top five among defensive tackles in quarterback pressures (240, fourth); defensive snaps played (4,503, second); tackles (339, second); tackles for loss (57, fourth); and sacks (36, fifth). He is one of only two defensive tackles (2023 WPMOY Cameron Heyward) to rank in the top five in all five categories since 2019.
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts This Year:
Simmons' "Give Em A Reason" Foundation aims to inspire youth and youth empowerment through sport, by way of self-esteem building and opportunity creation. "Give Em a Reason" intends to serve as the answer to many kids' questions of "why" when they are looking for a reason to have hope and carry on through adversity. As one of the two longest tenured Titans on the roster, Simmons has dedicated the last seven years to giving back in Nashville. This past year, Simmons started a Sack for Sports Equity Campaign, an initiative aimed at eliminating the financial and logistical barriers to sports participation for students in Nashville experiencing housing instability. Simmons has pledged to donate $980 for every sack he records during the 2025 season. These funds will directly support students enrolled in the HERO Program, providing essentials like sports physicals, transportation, and essential sports gear like cleats or other personal items needed to play. He also donated new shoulder pads for the Maplewood High School football team. Simmons has hosted multiple events with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee (BBBSMT). This fall, Simmons hosted a fishing event for 15 BBBSMT matches, in which he taught everyone how to fish. He also took six local high school students in the BBBSMT program to Men's Warehouse where they were fitted for brand new suits as Simmons offered support as a friend and mentor. This year, Simmons partnered with the Fund Recovery and Reach United to "Tackle Overdoses Now" by installing vending machines that dispense free naloxone. Vending machines have already been installed in Jackson, Mississippi; Fentree County, Tennessee; and downtown Nashville, Tennessee, with plans to expand to other cities across the country. Simmons is lending his face and voice in effort to erase the stigma of carrying naloxone. In his hometown, it was common for Simmons' peers to turn to drugs as something to do, thus preventing them from achieving their full potential. To reduce the number of youths who turn to drugs to begin with, Simmons, as part of his Give Em a Reason Foundation, has worked to create secondary prevention methods for the youth in addition to providing free naloxone. These methods include reviving the youth football and cheerleading teams, the Noxubee Titans in Mississippi, by providing a $50,000 donation and continued support in growing the programs. The funds helped participants afford uniforms, practice equipment, and field maintenance. In addition, Simmons hosted his third annual Community Funday in his hometown of Macon, Mississippi, inviting neighbors to a block party that featured live entertainment, including a surprise performance by Jelly Roll, a wide array of food and apparel vendors, as well as water slides for families to enjoy. Simmons also hosted his annual free football camp in Starkville, Mississippi, which featured a record-high 600 campers this year.
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past:
Since the Tennessee Titans drafted Simmons in 2019, offenses around the NFL have felt his impact on the field. Simmons' goal has always been to make an even greater impact off the field with the youth in the community. On the night he was drafted by the Titans, he said in his press conference, "In Tennessee, that's my goal, to get out in the community and just show people who I really am, show people they can trust me." He has done just that over the last seven years. During the Thanksgiving season in 2024, Simmons hosted over 60 students from the non-profit Backfield in Motion to Nissan Stadium for a dinner of Hattie B's while treating the students to new Crocs and a turkey to take home for the holidays. In true team captain fashion, he recruited other members of the team to join him. It continued his streak of giving back during the holiday season. In 2023, he fed more than 500 families by organizing a drive-thru turkey distribution event at Nissan Stadium. For the past several Christmas seasons, Simmons has provided local kids in need with a shopping spree prior to the holiday. Simmons has also served as the honorary chair for Rally on the Runway for the last two years, supporting a leading pediatric cancer research foundation. As honorary chair, Simmons recruits fellow Titans players to escort kids impacted by childhood cancer down the runway for a fashion show fundraiser. Over the last two years, the event has raised $984,837 towards fighting childhood cancer. Simmons has also made it a priority to visit Seacrest Studio at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt multiple times throughout the years. While there, Simmons spends time answering patients' questions on a live broadcast and offering encouragement. In addition to all his community work through his foundation, Simmons continually shows up for Titans community activations, such as attending local high school football games for Titans Fireball Fridays and elementary schools for T-Rac School Shows, as well as NFL Flag Regional Tournaments. Simmons also visited the Juvenile Detention Center, located next to Nissan Stadium, with Jelly Roll and other Titans players. He shared a meal with the young residents while engaging in conversations to provide hope, inspiration, and encouragement for their futures. Simmons remains committed to serving the youth and acting as a source of inspiration for those battling adversity. Whether it is a cancer diagnosis, poverty, incarceration, or any other obstacle, Simmons wants to instill a belief of hope in the next generation.
Positive Character & a Lifestyle of Giving Back:
The seeds of Simmons' unwavering commitment in supporting the youth were planted long before he stepped foot on an NFL field. Growing up in Macon, Mississippi, and being raised by a single mom with five children, Simmons learned the value of hard work and the perseverance to overcome adversity. "I started 'Give Em a Reason' because I wanted to give something to our youth that I didn't have growing up. No matter the circumstances or what anyone tells you, you should never let that stop you from chasing your goal," Simmons said. "I've had the opportunity to work with different organizations all over the community in different ways and it always gives me a sense of joy to give back to those in need." At the very beginning of his career, Simmons made a big promise to himself, to keep service and love of community at the heart of everything he does. A promise he continues to make good on every single day. At every step of his journey, Simmons has made it a priority to leave a positive impact on the community. His impact can be seen with the dedication of the Jeffery B. Simmons Field House at his alma mater Noxubee County High School, a field house he renovated with new weight racks, new bars, new chairs and a fresh paint job. Or at the Jeffery Simmons Turf Field located at the Starkville Sportsplex, three miles from Mississippi State, that hosts countless football, soccer and community events each year. It can be seen on the countless banners and billboards around Nashville or the many 98 jerseys in Nissan Stadium. But most importantly, it is seen in the spirit of the countless children and students he has inspired through his community initiatives.
