Ron Simmons Then and Now
By Cornell Scott / September 3, 2024
Ron Simmons Then
Ron Simmons, born on May 15, 1958, in Perry, Georgia, is widely recognized not only for his remarkable achievements in professional wrestling but also for his distinguished career in college football.
As a standout athlete at Warner Robins High School, Simmons was heavily recruited by top college programs, but it was Florida State University (FSU) that secured his commitment, marking one of the school’s greatest recruiting victories.
At Florida State, Simmons played as a defensive nose guard under the legendary coach Bobby Bowden, who Simmons later described as a “second father.” His tenure at FSU from 1977 to 1980 was nothing short of extraordinary.
Simmons earned consensus All-American honors in both 1979 and 1980, underscoring his dominance on the field.
During his time at FSU, the Seminoles compiled a 39-8 record, finishing in the Associated Press Top 20 three times and making back-to-back appearances in the prestigious Orange Bowl following Simmons’ junior and senior seasons.
One of Simmons’ most notable accomplishments came in 1979 when he finished ninth in the Heisman Trophy voting, an impressive feat for a defensive player, as the award is typically dominated by offensive stars.
That same year, Charles White of USC took home the Heisman, but Simmons’ inclusion in the top ten highlighted his impact on the field.
In 1988, Florida State University recognized Simmons’ contributions to the program by retiring his jersey number, 50.
This honor made him only the third player in FSU history to have their number retired, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest players to ever wear a Seminoles uniform.
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After college, Simmons pursued a professional football career, playing in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns, the CFL’s Ottawa Rough Riders, and the USFL’s Tampa Bay Bandits.
Although his professional football career was relatively brief, Simmons’ impact on the sport, particularly at the collegiate level, remains significant.
His later success in professional wrestling further cemented his status as a legendary figure in both sports.
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Ron Simmons Wrestling Career
Ron Simmons had an illustrious wrestling career that spanned several decades, making a significant impact in multiple wrestling promotions.
Simmons debuted in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) in September 1994, where he quickly established himself as a formidable competitor.
Teaming with 2 Cold Scorpio, Simmons challenged for the ECW World Tag Team Championship and faced off against top stars like Shane Douglas for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship.
Despite his efforts, Simmons was unable to secure a title during his time in ECW.
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His feud with 911, culminating in a memorable chokeslam showdown, further solidified his tough persona before he left the promotion in May 1995.
In early 1995, Simmons expanded his wrestling horizons by competing in Japan with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).
During his time in NJPW, he participated in tag team matches alongside American wrestlers like Arn Anderson and Steve Austin, facing off against Japanese wrestling legends such as Kensuke Sasaki and Shinya Hashimoto.
These tours helped Simmons gain international experience and showcased his versatility as a wrestler.
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After a brief hiatus, Simmons returned to the wrestling scene in 1996 with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), where he took on the persona of “Faarooq Asad,” a gladiator-like character managed by Sunny.
His initial feud with Ahmed Johnson set the stage for a significant career transformation.
Faarooq eventually dropped the gladiator gimmick and became the leader of the Nation of Domination (NOD), a faction that played a central role in WWF storylines throughout the late 1990s.
Under Faarooq’s leadership, the NOD feuded with major stars like Ahmed Johnson and The Undertaker.
The group also became a launching pad for future stars, most notably The Rock, who eventually took over leadership of the faction.
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Faarooq’s career in WWF saw him transition from a dominant leader to a respected veteran.
After being ousted from the NOD, he teamed up with Bradshaw to form The Acolytes, a brutal tag team known for their no-nonsense attitude and occult symbolism.
Their partnership evolved into the Acolytes Protection Agency (APA), where they became fan favorites for their beer-drinking, cigar-smoking antics and their role as hired muscle.
The APA won multiple tag team championships and became one of the most beloved tag teams of the Attitude Era.
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Simmons retired from active competition in the early 2000s but continued to make occasional appearances in WWE, often delivering his iconic catchphrase “Damn!” in response to humorous or shocking situations.
His contributions to wrestling were recognized in 2012 when he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by his long-time partner, John “Bradshaw” Layfield.
Even after his in-ring career ended, Simmons remained a revered figure in wrestling, making sporadic appearances at WWE events and continuing to entertain fans with his timeless persona.
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Ron Simmons Wrestling Competition
- National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)
- Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW)
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW)
- World Wrestling Federation (WWF) / World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
- World Championship Wrestling (WCW)
- Independent Circuit
Ron Simmons Now
As of now, Ron Simmons is 66 years old and continues to be a respected and memorable figure in the world of professional wrestling.
Known for his significant contributions to WWE and World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Simmons’s impact on the industry remains strong even after his active wrestling career ended.
In recent years, Simmons has made occasional appearances in WWE, delighting fans with his iconic catchphrase “Damn!” and his enduring charisma.
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His presence is often used to evoke nostalgia and add a touch of humor to WWE programming.
One notable example occurred on January 23, 2023, during the “Raw is XXX” episode, a special event celebrating WWE’s 30th anniversary of Monday Night Raw.
During this show, Simmons made a memorable appearance when he interacted with Baron Corbin and JBL, who had just lost money in a comedic poker game scenario.
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Simmons’s timely and classic response, simply shaking his head and saying “Damn!” showcased his enduring connection with fans and his ability to bring his legendary persona to life even in brief appearances.
Despite his semi-retirement, Simmons remains a beloved figure in the wrestling community.
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His legacy as the first African American World Heavyweight Champion in WCW and his role in popular factions like the Nation of Domination and the Acolytes Protection Agency (APA) have cemented his status as a trailblazer and influential character in professional wrestling history.
His sporadic appearances and continued involvement with WWE serve as a testament to his lasting impact on the sport and his enduring appeal to fans.
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Ron Simmons Net Worth
Ron Simmons, an American retired professional wrestler and football player, has amassed a net worth of $3 million, reflecting his successful career in both sports and entertainment.
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FAQs
Ron Simmons left WWE due to budget cuts in January 2009. Although he was involved in storylines until his departure, he had been planning to retire due to health and age concerns.
Ron Simmons was the first African American World Heavyweight Champion in WWE, achieving this milestone in WCW in 1992.
Yes, Ron Simmons and JBL (John Bradshaw Layfield) remain friends. They have reunited on-screen in WWE and maintained a positive relationship.
Ron Simmons wrestled under several names, including “Faarooq” in WWE and “Ron Simmons” in other promotions, and was known for his catchphrase “Damn!”
Ron Simmons retired primarily due to health issues and age, choosing to step away from in-ring competition to focus on other aspects of his life.
Ron Simmons resides in the Atlanta, Georgia area, where he has lived after his wrestling career and while working as a backstage agent for WWE.
After retiring from professional wrestling, Ron Simmons worked as a backstage agent for WWE and made occasional appearances on WWE programming. He has also engaged in various public appearances and events.