The most prolific offenses always have the legends in the shadows of the line of scrimmage who unselfishly keep their backfiedl teammates on their feet. A dominant force in the trenches, Keith Sims anchored the Miami Dolphins’ offensive line through the 1990s, forming one of the NFL’s premier pass-blocking tandems to protect Dan Marino.
Keith Sims was born on June 17, 1967, in Baltimore, Maryland. Raised in New Jersey, he developed into an imposing offensive line prospect at Watchung Hills Regional High School before making his mark at the collegiate and professional levels.
College Career
Sims committed to Iowa State University, where his size and athleticism established him as a premier interior blocker in the Big Eight Conference. Playing for the Cyclones from 1985 to 1989, he anchored an offensive line that paced one of the most explosive offenses in school history. In 1989, Sims earned Second-Team All-Big Eight honors as the Cyclones set program benchmarks in scoring and total yardage. His dominant collegiate tenure earned him induction into the Iowa State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006.
Football Journey After College
Selected by the Miami Dolphins in the second round (39th overall) of the 1990 NFL Draft, Sims stepped into a starting role immediately. Paired at left guard alongside rookie left tackle Richmond Webb, Sims forged an ironclad wall on the left side of Miami’s offensive line. During his eight seasons in South Florida (1990–1997), Sims helped power the Dolphins to multiple playoff berths and an appearance in the 1992 AFC Championship Game.
After spending the 1998 offseason with the Philadelphia Eagles, Sims signed with the Washington Redskins. He started 25 games for Washington between 1998 and 2000, providing veteran stability to their offensive line before concluding his 11-year NFL playing career.
Football Legacy
Sims is best remembered as a cornerstone of Don Shula’s pass protection schemes designed to keep Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino upright. Alongside Richmond Webb, Sims defined an era of Miami Dolphins football where sack prevention reached historic efficiency. His impact on franchise history was cemented in 2013 when he was inducted into the Miami Dolphins Walk of Fame. After retirement, Sims stayed involved in the game as an analyst, radio broadcaster, and prep offensive line coach.
Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats
- Seasons Played: 11 (Miami Dolphins 1990–1997; Washington Redskins 1998–2000)
- Career Games: 142 regular-season games played (133 starts); 6 fumble recoveries
- Pro Bowl Selections: 3 (1993, 1994, 1995)
- All-Pro Honors: Second-team All-Pro (1994, Associated Press)
- Rookie Honors: PFWA All-Rookie Team (1990)
- Collegiate Honors: Second-team All-Big Eight (1989)
- Halls of Fame: Iowa State Athletics Hall of Fame (Class of 2006), Miami Dolphins Walk of Fame (2013)
