NASHVILLE – Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons has been named the state's 'Professional Athlete of the Year' by the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
The TSHOF announced all the recipients of its Achievement Awards on Wednesday.
Simmons, in his seventh NFL season, recorded a career-high 11 sacks in 2025, when he also recorded 60 quarterback pressures, 67 tackles, 17 tackles for a loss and three forced fumbles.
Simmons broke Jurrell Casey's mark (10.5 sacks in 2013) for the most sacks in a season by a Titans defensive tackle in the franchise's "Titans era" (1999 to present).
A five-time captain, a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time Community Man of the Year winner for the Titans, Simmons was named first-team All-Pro in 2025 after being named second team All-Pro in 2021 and 2022.
In the last 10 seasons (2016 to 2025), Simmons (2025) and Aaron Donald (2021) are the only NFL defensive tackles to produce at least 10 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and three passes defensed in a single season.
The Hall of Fame will present its top honors at its 2026 banquet in July.











