Mark Simoneau will always be remembered as one of the greats to wear the purple for the Kansas State Wildcats. Simoneau, a product of Smith Center High School under legendary coach Roger Barta, was a consensus first-team All-American and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 1999.
A four-year starter at K-State, the linebacker led the Wildcats to a 42-7 record and posted 400 career tackles. He already has been inducted into the Kansas State Ring of Honor and the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.
His status at K-State may soon be solidified even more as it was announced in February that Simoneau was nominated for the College Football Hall of Fame. The 2012 class will be named in May.
After college, Simoneau was selected in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. He later played for the Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints and the Kansas City Chiefs before retiring in 2010. He played in the Super Bowl with the Eagles and was a member of the Saints’ championship team.
The former Class 3A shot put champion and runner-up in the 100 meters at Smith Center now directs Simoneau Sports Performance in Overland Park to help young athletes reach their maximum potential.
Simoneau is the latest in Kpreps.com’s series of Q&A articles to touch base with some of the best football players to come out of Kansas.
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First, tell me a little about what you're doing these days. I've heard you started a sports performance company.
I have a gym in Overland Park. We have been open for about a year. It’s a lot of fun helping athletes improve their athletic ability.
What is your favorite memory of playing football at Smith Center High School?
My teammates. There is nothing like playing high school football with your friends who you grew up with your entire life.
What is the most important lesson you learned from Coach Roger Barta?
The importance of being mentally and physically tough.
Did you read Joe Drape's book on the Smith Center Redmen? If so, what are your thoughts?
I did. I thought it was a great portrayal of Smith Center and our football program. Great book!
What was the recruiting process like, and why did you choose to play for Kansas State?
Kansas State was the only school to offer me a scholarship, so it made it a pretty easy decision. My brother (Jeff Simoneau) had finished up there in 1992 so I had a good feel of what the program was
about and where it was going.
What is your favorite memory with the Wildcats?
I have two, one was beating Nebraska in 1998 (40-30) the other was the win over Syracuse in the 1997 Fiesta Bowl (35-18).
What was draft day like?
It was a long day waiting to be picked, but it was an awesome experience.
What is your favorite memory of the NFL? 2006 season with the New Orleans Saints. (Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005).
Who is the most talented player you had to compete against?
So many great players … Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees.
What advice would you give to a young player who has dreams of playing major college football and in the NFL?
Don't waste a day. Each day is critical to have success and to get to where you want to go.
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