Simpson will be recognized in Atlanta at the SEC Championship Game.
Barrin Simpson Named 2019 SEC Football Legend
September 26, 2019 | Football
by Bill Martin, Senior Associate Athletic Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – Barrin Simpson, an All-American and two-time All-Southeastern Conference linebacker, has been selected as Mississippi State's 2019 SEC Football Legend, the league office announced Thursday as part of the full class.
The class will be honored at the 2019 SEC Football "Weekend of Champions" Dec. 6-7 in Atlanta, Georgia, highlighted by the annual SEC Legends Dinner on Friday, Dec. 6 at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta. The group will also be recognized prior to the SEC Football Championship Game, which will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Simpson is one of the greatest linebackers in school history, totaling 296 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five sacks, 30 quarterback pressures and three interceptions during his career from 1996-99. As a senior, he became the first Bulldog linebacker to receive first-team All-America laurels since 1981. That same year he was a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, which honors the nation's top linebacker.
In 1999, Simpson was the leader of a defensive unit that finished No. 1 in the nation in total defense en route to the program's first 10-win season since 1940, a No. 12 final national ranking and a Peach Bowl victory over Clemson. In one of the most remarkable defensive performances in Egg Bowl history, Simpson collected a career-best 23 tackles, one forced fumble and one recovered fumble in a 1999 MSU victory.
Simpson went on to a successful 10-year career in the CFL, earning the league's Most Outstanding Rookie Award in 2001 as a member of the BC Lions and becoming a six-time all-star. Simpson got his start at Starkville High School where he helped the Yellow Jackets to state championships in 1994 and 1995 before enrolling at Mississippi State. Simpson now coaches high school football in the state of Texas.
2019 SEC Football Legends
Alabama – Ray Perkins, WR/Head Coach
Arkansas – Dennis Winston, LB
Auburn – Karlos Dansby, LB
Florida – Jevon Kearse, OLB
Georgia – Vince Dooley, Head Coach
Kentucky – Oliver Barnett, DT
LSU – Johnny Robinson, HB
Ole Miss – Jonathan Robert Nichols, K
Mississippi State – Barrin Simpson, LB
Missouri – Jeremy Maclin, WR
South Carolina – Fred Zeigler, FL
Tennessee – Darwin Walker, DL
Texas A&M – Ed Simonini, LB
Vanderbilt – Jovan Pierre Haye, DE
STARKVILLE – Barrin Simpson, an All-American and two-time All-Southeastern Conference linebacker, has been selected as Mississippi State's 2019 SEC Football Legend, the league office announced Thursday as part of the full class.
The class will be honored at the 2019 SEC Football "Weekend of Champions" Dec. 6-7 in Atlanta, Georgia, highlighted by the annual SEC Legends Dinner on Friday, Dec. 6 at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta. The group will also be recognized prior to the SEC Football Championship Game, which will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Simpson is one of the greatest linebackers in school history, totaling 296 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five sacks, 30 quarterback pressures and three interceptions during his career from 1996-99. As a senior, he became the first Bulldog linebacker to receive first-team All-America laurels since 1981. That same year he was a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, which honors the nation's top linebacker.
In 1999, Simpson was the leader of a defensive unit that finished No. 1 in the nation in total defense en route to the program's first 10-win season since 1940, a No. 12 final national ranking and a Peach Bowl victory over Clemson. In one of the most remarkable defensive performances in Egg Bowl history, Simpson collected a career-best 23 tackles, one forced fumble and one recovered fumble in a 1999 MSU victory.
Simpson went on to a successful 10-year career in the CFL, earning the league's Most Outstanding Rookie Award in 2001 as a member of the BC Lions and becoming a six-time all-star. Simpson got his start at Starkville High School where he helped the Yellow Jackets to state championships in 1994 and 1995 before enrolling at Mississippi State. Simpson now coaches high school football in the state of Texas.
2019 SEC Football Legends
Alabama – Ray Perkins, WR/Head Coach
Arkansas – Dennis Winston, LB
Auburn – Karlos Dansby, LB
Florida – Jevon Kearse, OLB
Georgia – Vince Dooley, Head Coach
Kentucky – Oliver Barnett, DT
LSU – Johnny Robinson, HB
Ole Miss – Jonathan Robert Nichols, K
Mississippi State – Barrin Simpson, LB
Missouri – Jeremy Maclin, WR
South Carolina – Fred Zeigler, FL
Tennessee – Darwin Walker, DL
Texas A&M – Ed Simonini, LB
Vanderbilt – Jovan Pierre Haye, DE
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