Former South Carolina top rusher, member of 1969 ACC title team dies
.JPG "The 1969 ACC championship remains the only conference title won by USC’s football program.")
Tommy Simmons, a member of the Gamecocks 1969 ACC title team, died July 31 at age 68.
He lined up in the backfield and twice led the South Carolina football team in rushing.
Born in Union, according to his obituary, Simmons lettered for USC from 1969-71. He ran for 107 yards on the 1969 team, good for fourth on the squad. He had 572 and 430 the next two seasons, with 15 combined touchdowns.
He left as one of the top rushers in program history and is still in the program’s top 40 all time with 1,109 yards.
After his playing days, he returned to Union, became an entrepreneur and owned several businesses.
According to his obituary: “Of all his life accomplishments, he was most proud of his 49-year marriage to his wife, Suzette.”
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m Friday at the SR Holcombe Funeral Chapel in Union. Several of his Gamecocks teammates will be part of his honorary escort.
This story was originally published August 3, 2018 at 1:26 PM.