The first dual-threat quarterback of the Nick Saban era for Alabama is retiring from football.
Blake Sims, 30, announced in a conversation via Twitter Spaces that he’s hanging up his cleats.
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ESPN’s Paul Finebaum was in on the discussion as Sims is ready to move on to a different chapter of his life. As a native Georgian, he arrived in Alabama’s 2010 signing class as a four-star athlete. Sims served the team in every way possible, playing running back, wide receiver, defensive back, return specialist (special teams), and backup quarterback. Sims earned the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback job in the summer of 2014. Many doubted his abilities to lead the team, but Sims made 2014 a memorable year for Tide fans across the nation. He set single-season school records for passing yards (3,487) and total touchdowns (35).
Former Alabama quarterback Blake Sims announces he is retiring from football.
His time with the Tide certainly will not be forgotten 💪 pic.twitter.com/P1k2J1ZTxD
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) August 19, 2022
Sims guided Alabama to a Southeastern Conference Championship and the College Football Playoff. He did not win a national title as a starting quarterback, but he proved to everyone he could lead the team. Sims did not receive many chances in the National Football League as the Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers had him on their practice squads, but all cut him. Sims gave the Canadian Football League a shot with the Toronto Argonauts and Saskatchewan Roughriders, but neither stuck with him. He tried the National Gridiron League with the Wollongong Devils, but it didn’t work.
Sims also tried his hand at the American Alliance Football League (AAF) with the Birmingham Iron, Spokane Shock (Indoor Football League), and Frisco Fighters (IFL). The pros did not have room for him, but he will be remembered for changing Alabama’s offense in 2014. Sims brought in an exciting spread attack that gave the Tide the blueprint to bring in Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, and Bryce Young. These names do not choose the Tide if Sims does not chart the path of being a quarterback.
He was a two-time BCS National Champion in 2011 and 2012.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
