STUART, Fla. — As Justin Simmons began his high school football career, he faced an inevitable comparison.
And for the first couple of games, the Martin County High School player couldn't help but hear the murmurs.
"This is Victor's kid."
Three decades earlier, Simmons' dad patrolled the defensive backfield as a safety for the Martin County Tigers. Victor, who describes himself as a former blue-chip player, said he drew interest from major colleges before his senior year.
He wound up at West Virginia Wesleyan, where he met Justin's mother, and the two eventually settled back in Stuart, where Justin would get his chance to follow in his father's footsteps.
But those early games weren't easy.
"That was tough for me, because we just played differently," Simmons said earlier this offseason in his hometown. "I think they expected the same thing. And I just stuck to what I knew and what I did best."
Justin, as he has shown with the Broncos, was focused on recording game-changing interceptions and breaking up passes.
In 2019, Simmons set a career high with four interceptions and 15 passes defensed.
"I was more of a ball-productive safety," said Simmons, looking back on his high school career.
And Victor?
"He had a very similar play style to my middle brother Nate," Simmons said. "They were both …"
Victor jumps in.
"Hitters!"
"Physical," Simmons continued. "Super physical."
The younger Simmons' playing ability quickly flipped the roles in Stuart. Instead of Justin being referred to as Victor's son, Victor became known as Justin's dad. That's the kind of respect you earn from being named the All-Area Defensive Player of the Year as a senior and signing a letter of intent to play at Boston College.
Simmons wasn't sure about his NFL chances, though, until before his senior season at Boston College.
"I don't think I ever lacked confidence in my abilities or what I knew I could produce on the field, but honestly I didn't think I had a true shot of playing pro until kind of the end of my junior year going into my senior year of college," Simmons said. "We kind of talked about it earlier. I had a tough coach, defensive coordinator Dom Brown, who's super successful at the collegiate level. He challenged me all of my junior season. I did fairly well. I got moved around a lot. I played corner, I played nickel, I played safety. He sat down and he told me — and this is a guy that's had people drafted before and done really well — he sat down and told me before my senior year, 'You know, you can really make this thing happen if you do X, Y and Z.'
"You know your parents are proud and you hear them talk about how great you are and all the things that you can do, but when I heard it from someone else, that's the first time someone sat down and said, 'Hey man, you have what it takes. You've just got to give a little bit more.'"
After the 2019 season, Justin Simmons took us on a tour through his his hometown of Stuart, Florida, including his grandparents' home, his high school alma mater and a sandwich shop he visited often as a kid. Follow along as he showed us family photos from his youth, photos from his high school yearbooks and more.
Justin Simmons during a tour of his grandparents' home in his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons and his father, Victor, during a tour of Justin Simmons' grandparents' home in his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons' father, Victor, shows off a photo of him, Justin and Justin's mother, Kimberly, during a tour of Justin Simmons' grandparents' home in his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons points to a family photo during a tour of his grandparents' home in his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Family photos of Justin Simmons and his mother, Kimberly, and his two brothers during a tour of Justin's grandparents' home in his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
A family photo of Justin during a Pop Warner Super Bowl game during a tour of Justin Simmons' grandparents' home in his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
A family photo of Justin Simmons (left) with his parents, Victor and Kimberly, and one of his brothers during a tour of his grandparents' home in his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
during a tour of Justin Simmons' grandparents' home in his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
A family photo of Justin Simmons and his brothers Tristan and Nate during a tour of their grandparents' home in his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
A family photo of Justin Simmons and one of his younger brothers during a tour of their grandparents' home in his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Senior portrait photos of Justin Simmons during a tour of his grandparents' home in his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons and his father, Victor, during a tour of Justin Simmons' grandparents' home in his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
A Christmas card from Justin Simmons, his wife Taryn and their daughter Laney hangs in Justin's grandparents' home in his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons and his father, Victor, speak during an interview in Justin's grandparents' home in his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons and his father, Victor, speak during an interview in Justin's grandparents' home in his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons drives through his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons drives through his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons revisits his high school alma mater's locker room and weight room at Martin County High School during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons revisits his high school alma mater's locker room and weight room at Martin County High School during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons revisits his high school alma mater's locker room and weight room at Martin County High School during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons revisits his high school alma mater's locker room and weight room at Martin County High School during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons revisits his high school alma mater's locker room and weight room at Martin County High School during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons revisits his high school alma mater's locker room and weight room at Martin County High School during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons revisits his high school alma mater's locker room and weight room at Martin County High School during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons revisits his high school alma mater's locker room and weight room at Martin County High School during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Photos of Justin Simmons during high school from Martin County High School yearbooks during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons revisits his high school alma mater's football field and stadium at Martin County High School during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons revisits his high school alma mater's football field and stadium at Martin County High School during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons revisits his high school alma mater's football field and stadium at Martin County High School during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons revisits his high school alma mater's football field and stadium at Martin County High School during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons revisits his high school alma mater's football field and stadium at Martin County High School during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons revisits his high school alma mater's football field and stadium at Martin County High School during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Photos of Justin Simmons during high school from Martin County High School yearbooks during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons revisits his high school alma mater's basketball court at Martin County High School during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Photos of Justin Simmons during high school from Martin County High School yearbooks during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons visits with his old basketball coach at his high school alma mater, Martin County High School, during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Photos of Justin Simmons during high school from Martin County High School yearbooks during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons dons part of his high school mascot's costume at his high school alma mater, Martin County High School, during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons visits with one of his high school football coaches at his high school alma mater, Martin County High School, during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Photos of Justin Simmons during high school from Martin County High School yearbooks during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Photos of Justin Simmons during high school from Martin County High School yearbooks during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Photos of Justin Simmons during high school from Martin County High School yearbooks during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Photos of Justin Simmons during high school from Martin County High School yearbooks during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Photos of Justin Simmons during high school from Martin County High School yearbooks during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Photos of Justin Simmons during high school from Martin County High School yearbooks during a tour of his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons drives through his hometown of Stuart, Florida, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
A picture of the sandwich named for Justin Simmons at Rinaldi's, a sandwich shop he frequented in high school. Though Simmons more often visited the Rinaldi's location in Stuart, Florida, this time he went to the location in Jupiter to see the owner, Mike Rinaldi, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Pictures of Justin Simmons hang on the wall at Rinaldi's, a sandwich shop he frequented in high school. Though Simmons more often visited the Rinaldi's location in Stuart, Florida, this time he went to the location in Jupiter to see the owner, Mike Rinaldi, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Pictures of Justin Simmons hang on the wall at Rinaldi's, a sandwich shop he frequented in high school. Though Simmons more often visited the Rinaldi's location in Stuart, Florida, this time he went to the location in Jupiter to see the owner, Mike Rinaldi, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons visits Rinaldi's, a sandwich shop he frequented in high school. Though Simmons more often visited the Rinaldi's location in Stuart, Florida, this time he went to the location in Jupiter to see the owner, Mike Rinaldi, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons visits Rinaldi's, a sandwich shop he frequented in high school. Though Simmons more often visited the Rinaldi's location in Stuart, Florida, this time he went to the location in Jupiter to see the owner, Mike Rinaldi, on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Justin Simmons hugs Rinaldi's owner Mike Rinaldi, owner of the sandwich shop that Simmons has been visiting since he was in high school, at the Jupiter location on January 29, 2020. Though Simmons more often visited the Rinaldi's location in Stuart, Florida, this time he went to the location in Jupiter to see Mike. (Photo by Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com)
Indeed, Victor and Kimberly Simmons are proud of Justin. And they projected earlier that their son had the talent to play professionally. When Simmons was 11 years old, he played in a Pop Warner championship game. Though Victor still likes to rib his son that he didn't set the edge well enough in the matchup of middle schoolers, he knew then that his son had the necessary ability.
"If this is really what you want to do … I'll be watching you on TV," Victor remembered saying.
That's now how he spends his Sundays in the fall, on the occasion that he's not in Denver watching the Broncos in person. Either at his mother-in-law's house or the home of a good friend, Victor flips Denver's game on and watches his son set the tone for the Broncos' defense.
And for as reserved as Justin can be, his father's personality resembles his old playing style.
That's what Justin did during Victor's favorite play, an interception in coverage against Amari Cooper to seal a 2017 win over the Raiders.
"That shows it all. That's why people don't throw deep," Victor said. "They don't throw 50-50 balls against this guy."
If Victor seems like his son's personal hype man — a "mild-mannered LaVar Ball" as Justin calls him — it's because of a long-held rule in the Simmons household.
"I do all the bragging," Victor said. "I do all the hollering. I do all the yelling."
Simmons and his two brothers — Nate and Tristan — were expected to be humble.
Victor, though, seems set to continue to vouch for his son that is carrying on the family's football legacy — even if he's now a long way from Stuart, Florida.
"He's a Simmons," Victor said. "He'll make the play he has to make. He's proven that time and time again."
