Texas star Colin Simmons, Cowboys All-Pro Micah Parsons unite to help special needs kids

DUNCANVILLE — Texas phenom Colin Simmons received a warm welcome as he was introduced Saturday morning at Duncanville High School, the place where he became a household name, an All-American and a two-time state champion.

The applause wasn’t because the dynamic edge rusher is one of the rising young stars in college football and has a chance to lead Texas to its first national championship in two decades. It was because Simmons had returned home to his alma mater to give back to the community by hosting a camp for special needs children.

“I want to thank you for coming out and supporting,” Simmons said in his opening remarks while surrounded by kids ages 6 to 17. “Today, let’s focus on having fun. I want everybody to have a smile on your face, and I want everybody to use all of your energy.”

These campers have a special place in Simmons’ heart, and not just because one of them was his half-brother, 10-year-old Clayton Roberts, who was in attendance. Roberts has autism, and Simmons has helped his mother, Monica McCarley, raise him.

“It’s just the love that I have for my little brother and the kids that are like him,” Simmons said. “I feel like it is a blessing to be able to do this and to be in the position I’m in right now. I owe it all to my mom, because at the end of the day, she is balancing me and my little brother.”

Simmons had a special guest helping him in the camp’s debut, as Cowboys All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons was on hand, and they shared a quick embrace when Parsons arrived and then immediately turned their attention to interacting with the campers. Two of the great pass rushers in the state of Texas have known each other for a couple of years and have become close.

“Micah is my dog,” Simmons said. “He came to one of my high school games, and from there on we just built a relationship and built a connection. I’m really happy and excited that he came out here and showed some love.”

Parsons has quickly become one of the most dominant players in the NFL, recording 12 or more sacks in each of his first four seasons. But the big news surrounding him this offseason is the fact that he is seeking a new contract, possibly a massive extension that could make him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL.

He said Saturday that he did not want to discuss that. His focus was on the kids.

“I want to support Colin and everything that he wants to do in his career,” Parsons said. “Hosting camps and coming back to this city, I think that is extremely important. Just being here with them and showing that we care.”

Simmons was a five-star All-American at Duncanville, and the nation’s No. 2-ranked edge rusher was a driving force behind the school winning back-to-back Class 6A Division I state titles in 2022 and 2023. Texas reached the College Football Playoff semifinals last season, and Simmons was a big reason why, leading UT in sacks with nine while being named the Shawn Alexander National Freshman of the Year.

But he is as down-to-earth as any big-name football player out there.

Before the camp started, Simmons took time to introduce himself to each of the kids and their parents, spending extra time with those who were shy or nervous. When it was time for the first activity, Simmons jumped right in and began lofting passes to each of the campers who wanted to run a route.

He had a film crew following him around, but Simmons went out of his way to talk one-on-one with campers and to pose for a photo with anyone who asked. Parsons was just as involved, cheering on the campers as they went station to station.

“It’s amazing to give back to the community,” Parsons said.

Simmons said he wants to spend at least three years at UT before heading to the NFL. He was asked what it would be like to possibly play alongside Parsons on the Cowboys someday.

“That’s the goal, to stay in Texas and play football,” Simmons said. “If me and Micah were on the same team, I feel like that would be unstoppable.”

Parsons added, “I hope he ends up in the right spot, wherever that is. But I love the way he plays, I love his effort, I love his tenacity.”

When asked how far UT can go this season, Simmons was noncommital and simply said, “We’re just going to have to wait and see.” But he lit up when the subject shifted to Heisman Trophy candidate Arch Manning, who is expected to take over as the starting quarterback at Texas.

“It’s a blessing. I feel like he is the one,” Simmons said.

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