Ko Simpson
| Position: | Safety | ||||||||
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| Personal information | |||||||||
| Date of birth: | November 9, 1983 | ||||||||
| Place of birth: | Rock Hill, South Carolina | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 202 lb (92 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| College: | South Carolina | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2006 / Round: 4 / Pick: 105 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Yukota "Ko" Simpson (born November 9, 1983) is a former American football safety. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at South Carolina.
He has also played for the Detroit Lions.
Early life
Simpson was born in Rock Hill, South Carolina and attended Castle Heights Middle School and Rock Hill High School where he helped lead the team to a Class AAAA State Championship playing on both offense and defense. He signed a letter of intent with South Carolina in 2003, but did not enroll until spring of 2004 under then head coach Lou Holtz.[1]
College career
In his freshman season, Simpson recorded 50 solo tackles, 11 assists and six interceptions. Against Georgia, in only his second collegiate game, he intercepted a David Greene pass and returned it 57 yards for a touchdown. He was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Gamecocks' win over Arkansas which included a fumble recovery returned 57 yards for a touchdown.[1] His six interceptions led the Southeastern Conference and he was named Freshman of the Year in the SEC by the Associated Press,[2] becoming the first South Carolina player to ever win the award.
As a sophomore, Simpson had 103 total tackles, two fumble returns and an interception.[1] He was consensus All-SEC and named a Football Writers Association All-American.[3]
Professional career
Buffalo Bills
Simpson was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He had recorded 77 tackles 1 FF and 2 INT in his 2006 rookie season. Against the Denver Broncos in week 1 of the 2007 season, he broke his left ankle after his feet were cut out from under him by teammate Jason Webster while making a tackle on Javon Walker. On September 11, 2007 Ko was placed on injured reserve, ending his 2007 campaign.
Detroit Lions
Simpson was traded to the Detroit Lions in exchange for their 7th round pick on September 4, 2009. On November 25, Simpson was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury, more specifically a torn patella with a separated MCL.
He was released by the Lions on September 4, 2010.
Personal life
Simpson and his girlfriend, Natasha Brice, are expecting their first child, a son, at the end of August. They will name him after Simpson, Yukota Ja’marr Simpson Jr.[4]
On January 1, 2009 Simpson was arrested by a Rock Hill, SC police officer for hindering police while they were attempting to break up an unruly crowd. According to the police report, Simpson verbally abused officers. He has applied to enter a diversionary program; the arrest can then be removed from his record if he complies with the conditions of the program. [5]
References
- 1 2 3 Athletic Department. "Player Bio:Ko Simpson". University of South Carolina. Retrieved 2006-11-02.
- ↑ Iacobelli, Pete (2004-12-07). "Simpson named AP SEC freshman of the year". Associated Press. Archived from the original on December 3, 2008. Retrieved 2006-11-02.
- ↑ Babb, Kent (2006-05-01). "Simpson drops to 4th round". The State. Retrieved 2006-11-02.
- ↑ http://www.thestate.com/sports/story/118408.html
- ↑ Bills Simpson Asks for a Program to Erase Charges Yahoo Sports, February 5, 2009