Community college football: Simmons ready to shine

Steve Virgen

He used to be called M-m-ma-marvin. Now you can just call him

marvelous.

Marvin Simmons, the prep phenom linebacker who makes his debut with

the Orange Coast College football team tonight at East Los Angeles,

overcame a stuttering problem among other obstacles throughout his young

life.

“Everyone knew me as M-m-ma-marvin, because I stuttered until the age

of 14,” said Simmons who received speech therapy for more than 10 years.

“I’ve climbed so many barriers and jumped so many hurdles to get to this

point that nothing is going to stop me.”

Simmons would not quit, that’s not allowed in his household. Simmons,

who is the fifth of 12 children, received discipline and determination

from his father, Melvin Sr., and the eldest brother, Melvin Jr.

Simmons also received inspiration from his mother, Katherine, who

after 11 children earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature

at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

“Behind every strong man, there’s a strong woman,” Simmons said. “And

that’s my mom.”

The children in the Compton neighborhood would tease Simmons, but

family support and the speech therapy carried him through, building more

strength when he overcame the stuttering.

“(Stuttering) was the reason why I didn’t want to play a position

where I had to speak,” Simmons said. “I would come home frustrated

because I couldn’t call the huddle or I understood the play but I

couldn’t get it out. At times I didn’t want to play football. There have

been times where I said, ‘That’s it, that’s enough.’ And Dad would say,

‘Son, if you want to sleep outside then quit. But, if you’re going to

sleep in my house you’re not going to quit.’ ”

Simmons’ drive to overcome the stuttering also gave him motivation to

succeed on the football field. He fell in love with the game and his

desire to improve led to a career full of highlights at Dominguez High,

then for his senior year at Long Beach Poly. His dominating presence also

resulted in a scholarship to play for USC.

Last year, he compiled 138 tackles, 45 for losses, and recorded 12

sacks, four blocked punts, four blocked PATs, 20 forced fumbles and two

interceptions, leading the Jackrabbits to a CIF Southern Section Division

I title.

“I love the game so much because it came so natural for me,” Simmons

said. “All the things that are necessary for the game just came with

ease. I never really had a hard time transferring from Dominguez to Poly

or bouncing back from USC to Orange Coast, because I know the game and I

know I was blessed with the ability.”

At USC, Simmons was set to wear No. 55, the same number worn by Trojan

greats Willie McGinest and Junior Seau, as Coach Pete Carroll promised to

use the Poly High product as a key component of the defense. When Simmons

came to OCC, defensive tackle Dan Stringer, one of the Pirates’ leaders,

offered his No. 55, but Simmons declined.

“I thought he deserved it more than I did because he’s been here for a

year,” said Simmons, who no longer wears the No. 55 as a charm on his

necklace. “I decided to take the next number available and that was No.

1. I like the way it looks on me.”

After considering Compton College, El Camino, San Francisco City and

East L.A., Simmons set his sights on OCC because of the school’s academic

program and because USC recommended the Pirates, Simmons said.

But what about Long Beach City? Simmons worked out at the school and

he played with or against half of the Vikings’ players.

“I just had my mind set on something else,” Simmons said. “Long Beach

City is a great program, but I just had my mind set on something else.”

Now that Simmons is at OCC, the spotlight is on him and he’s asked to

answer the call. He does not feel any pressure.

“I would consider it pressure, if I had no help and no heart,” Simmons

said. “But here I have great help as far as the players around me.

They’re ready to step up and they’re going to keep stepping up because

that’s the kind of intensity I bring to the team. I don’t consider it

pressure. I consider it a challenge. And I love a challenge. I’m known to

rise to the occasion, it’s kind of in my blood.”