{{Short description|American football player (born 1960)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | number = 82 | position = Tight end | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1960|10|21|mf=y}} | birth_place = Mobile, Alabama, U.S. | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 2 | weight_lb = 225 | high_school = Murphy (Mobile) | college = Jackson State | undraftedyear = 1983 | pastteams = * Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|1983}}) * Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|1985}})* | highlights = * All-SWAC (1982) | statlabel1 = Games played | statvalue1 = 11 | pfr = SimmCl20 }}
'''Cleo Simmons''' (born October 21, 1960) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Jackson State Tigers.
==Early years== Simmons attended Murphy High School, where he practiced football and basketball. He played as a linebacker and safety.
He accepted a football scholarship from Jackson State University.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/10/24/Jackson-State-22-Grambling-6/3613404280000/ | title=Jackson State 22, Grambling 6 | accessdate=January 12, 2019}}</ref> He was converted into a tight end, playing mainly on special teams in his first years. As a junior, he became a starter.
As a senior, he led the team with 46 receptions for 712 yards and 7 touchdowns. He finished his college career with 54 receptions for 894 yards and 8 touchdowns.
==Professional career== ===Dallas Cowboys=== Simmons was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 1983 NFL draft. He was waived on August 29.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19830828&id=ErNjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=P4EMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2840,7495062 | title=Barnes Cut by Cowboys | accessdate=January 19, 2019}}</ref> He was recalled off waivers on August 30,<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/08/31/A-good-part-of-the-Dallas-Cowboys-defense-is/2041431150400/ | title=A good part of the Dallas Cowboys' defense is... | accessdate=January 12, 2019}}</ref> making the team's roster over fourth round draft choice Chris Faulkner.<ref>{{cite news| title=Cowboys Cut Former Gator Chris Faulkner| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19830823&id=Uj9WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3OkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3753,2594555| publisher=Gainesville Sun| agency=Associated Press| date=August 23, 1983| page=B1| accessdate=January 12, 2019}}</ref> As a rookie, he was the third-string tight end. He was released on August 14, 1984.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/8797659/ | title=Cowboys slash three veterans to retain seven rookies | accessdate=January 12, 2019}}</ref>
===Indianapolis Colts=== On March 20, 1985, he was signed as a free agent by the Indianapolis Colts.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/451798106/ | title=Transactions | accessdate=January 12, 2019}}</ref> He was cut on August 19.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/13704202/ | title=Colts Waive 9 Players, More Cuts Expected | accessdate=January 12, 2019}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Simmons, Cleo}} Category:1960 births Category:Living people Category:Players of American football from Mobile, Alabama Category:American football tight ends Category:Jackson State Tigers football players Category:Dallas Cowboys players Category:20th-century American sportsmen