Veteran KSAT sports anchor resigns after DWI case
Greg Simmons, one of the most notable sportscasters in San Antonio history, resigned his position as KSAT sports director and anchor just days after he was arrested and charged with a DWI.
Simmons, who joined KSAT in 1980, submitted his letter of resignation on Monday, according to KSAT. He also included a statement saying that he was “overwhelmed and humbled” by the support he has received from family and friends “in light of recent events.”
“For the past 42 years, I have had the honor of working with the best in the business while sharing my passion for sports and our community with all of you,” Simmons said in a statement given to the television station.
Simmons, 67, was pulled over early Friday morning after Bexar County deputies responded to reports that he had been drifting from side to side. According to an arrest report, a sheriff’s deputy observed Simmons driving erratically before he came to a stop on Evans Road near TPC Parkway on the far North Side.
It took five minutes for Simmons to pull over after a deputy signaled him to do so, a report states. He had trouble maintaining focus and believed he was driving on U.S. 281, investigators said. He also gave the deputy a gold American Express card when asked for his license, according to the report.
Simmons struggled to recite the alphabet during a field sobriety test, the report states. A breath sample could not be obtained, but a blood test was done to determine his blood alcohol level, the sheriff ’s office said.
An arraignment in Simmons’ case is set for Feb. 28, according to court records.
A San Antonio native, Simmons graduated from Jefferson High School and attended Trinity University.
While in high school, Simmons landed his first professional radio job as an announcer for KWED in Seguin. After graduation, he was hired at KBUC radio before joining KSAT in 1980 as a weekend sports anchor.
Four years later, he moved up to the weekday sportscast when KSAT decided it had enough of Joe Fowler, who often used stunts to spruce up his appearances on television.
Simmons’ career nearly ended at KSAT several times over the years, most notably in 1983. That year, the television station declined to renew his contract as a weekend sportscaster.
When Fowler was fired in early 1984, Simmons was expected to carry the whole sportscasting load and was not considered a candidate for the job until Corpus Christi sportscaster Gary Stricklin quit after barely a month.
After nine months, Simmons was appointed as a permanent, weekday sportscaster.
He was named sports director in 1985.
In January 1985, Simmons was one of six jurors who sat for the DWI trial of Joe Neaves III, the son of former Sheriff Joe Neaves, according to San Antonio Express-news archives.
After the judge declared a mistrial, Simmons, who was quoted in the Express-news, was outraged at the judge. He told the newspaper that if a mistrial had not been declared, he would have voted guilty in the case. Neaves was later retried and found guilty.
Simmons has covered everything from Spurs championships to rival high school football teams in the past four decades.
Now a familiar face, and a recognizable and enthusiastic voice, Simmons’ contribution to the sports community was recognized by his alma mater last summer. The San Antonio Independent School District honored Simmons by inducting him into the SAISD Athletic Hall of Fame.
Some of Simmons’ longtime fans took to social media to express sorrow and dismay over his departure.
One woman wrote on Facebook: “I’m sorry to see him leave after watching him on TV for so many years. I hope he gets the help he needs if he has a drinking problem.”