Griz Gameday Q&A with Jesse Sims

At each home game this season, GoGriz.com will bring you a Q&A with a featured senior in the gameday program.

At the last home game against Monmouth, Grizzly Athletics celebrated the #37 tradition, and the current jersey holder Jesse Sims was featured in the program. In case you missed it, that Q&A is below.

Don't forget to pick up a copy of the gameday program this week as the Griz face Idaho State for a conversation with senior tight end, and a Grizzly legacy in his own right, Colin Bingham.

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Griz Gameday Q&A with Jesse Sims

GoGriz.com: Thanks for taking the time to chat with us, Jesse! We're celebrating the #37 jersey tradition this week at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Looking back, what was the transition like when Tucker Schye passed the jersey on to you?

Sims: It was a very humbling moment when Tucker passed the jersey down to me. He was one of the guys I looked up to in the program, both on and off the field, so it was a great honor to receive the jersey from him.

GoGriz.com: It was a pretty special moment when you unveiled the jersey in front of Griz Nation at the spring game. What was that experience like?

Sims: It was a cool moment to share with my teammates, especially. Without them and the past grizzly football players, moments like that wouldn't be possible.

GoGriz.com: Now that you're in your second season wearing the jersey, what has it come to mean to you, and how have you enjoyed being part of the legacy?

Sims: I wouldn't say the number means any more to me as a senior than it did last year. I just take a lot of pride in being a Grizzly, no matter what number I am wearing.

GoGriz.com: Your older sister Alycia was a heck of a Lady Griz basketball player. What was your relationship like growing up? Was she able to pass you any advice about being a successful student-athlete?

Sims: Alycia and I had a great relationship growing up. We had numerous one-on-one basketball battles, so I take a little of the credit for the stud she turned into. As far as advice she passed down; I would say she more paved the way through example. She's one of the hardest working people I know, both in the classroom and sports.

GoGriz.com: You're a senior leader on a relatively young defensive line. How have you felt the young guys have developed, and what's it been like helping bring that group along?

Sims: Our younger guys on the D-line are developing faster than any group I've been around. It's an honor to help guide them because I had an upperclassman do the same thing for me at the start of my career.

GoGriz.com: The defense as a whole has been strong so far this season, only allowing one second-half score in the first two games. What was the focus in the offseason to show that much growth?

Sims: Our biggest focus in the offseason was finishing games strong in the 2nd half and especially the 4th quarter. That's when games are won.

GoGriz.com: Taking one look at your arms, one can see why you are known as a weight room junkie. What is it about throwing some iron around that you enjoy so much?

Sims: Lifting weights has been a big part of everyday life for me. Everyone has their ways of feeling like they have a mental and physical edge on an opponent, and for me, I get that through training.

GoGriz.com: Along those lines, you're a health and human performance major. Any plans to do something with that after football is over?

Sims: After football, I would love to coach young athletes and give them the correct training guidance in the weight room that I was lucky enough to get at a young age.

GoGriz.com: Thanks for taking the time Jesse. Good luck today!

University of Montana Athletics

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Colin Bingham

Tucker Schye

Jesse Sims

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