Mark Simoneau earns induction into College Football Hall of Fame

Mark Simoneau, a lightly recruited prospect from a small town in Kansas, will be only the second Kansas State football player to go into the College Football Hall of Fame when he is inducted on Tuesday, Dec. 4.

Simoneau was a consensus All-American and the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in his final season in Manhattan. A 6'0, 245 ILB, he was a four-year starter who made over 400 career tackles and won 42 games.

After college, he went on to a 10-year career in the NFL, playing for the Falcons, Eagles, Saints (where he won a Super Bowl) and Chiefs.

He will be the fourth Kansas State player or coach to be inducted, following legendary coaches "Pappy" Waldorf and Charles Bachmann as well as Gary Spani, a kicker from the 1970s.

Upon hearing the news, Bill Snyder said this about his former player (courtesy of the Kansas State website):

"Mark is a tremendous young man with a wonderful family and I am extremely proud of him," Snyder said. "He had a long career in the NFL because he maintained the intrinsic values of commitment, unselfishness, hard work, mental toughness, persistence, responsibility and integrity. He has been the consummate team player throughout his life, and this is truly a well-deserved honor."

The ceremony will be held in New York City, although the Hall itself is located in South Bend.