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Chris Mims
Chris Mims
Chris Mims
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Christopher Eddie Mims (September 29, 1970 – October 15, 2008) was an American professional football player who was a defensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers. Mims was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 1992 NFL draft with the 23rd overall pick.[1] He also spent one season with the Washington Redskins. He retired in 2000 after being released by the Chicago Bears in training camp that same year.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Mims' father Lorenzo died at 38 in an apparent homicide when Chris was 11.[2] Mims attended Susan Miller Dorsey High School in Los Angeles, California.[3] As a senior, he set the school single season records for sacks and tackles.[3] However, he failed to meet the academic qualifications to attended an NCAA university. Therefore, he chose to attend Los Angeles Pierce College, then Los Angeles Southwest Junior College.[3][4] After earning better grades, he was recruited by assistant coach A. J. Christoff to the University of Tennessee where he spent two seasons.[3] While at Tennessee, he recorded 90 tackles and 9.5 sacks.[4]

In the October 18, 2010, issue of Sports Illustrated, former NFL agent Josh Luchs alleged that he paid Mims 'about $500 a month' during his last year at the University of Tennessee.[5]

Professional career

[edit]

Mims was selected in the first round (23rd overall) of the 1992 NFL draft.[6] As a rookie, he appeared in 16 games with four starts. During his rookie season, he recorded 53 tackles, 10 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery as well as recording a safety. In 1993, he appeared in 16 games with seven starts. He recorded 32 tackles, seven sacks, two forced fumbles. For the 1994 season, he started all 16 games. He recorded 35 tackles (28 solo.), 11 sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. In 1995, he started all 15 games he appeared in. He recorded 28 tackles (24 solo.), two sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.[7] For 1996, he start all 15 games he appeared in. He recorded 20 tackles (12 solo.), six sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.[8]

After spending five seasons with the Chargers, Mims signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Washington Redskins on June 10, 1997.[9] In 1997, his lone season with the Redskins, he appeared in 11 games with seven starts.[10] For the season, he recorded 16 tackles (10 solo.), four sacks and one forced fumble.

One year, to the day after signing with the Redskins, Mims re-signed with the Chargers to a one-year contract.[9] In 1998, after returning to the Chargers, he appeared in six games. For the season, he recorded three tackles, and two sacks. On February 8, 1999, he re-signed with the Chargers on a two-year contract.[9] For 1999, he appeared in nine games. For the season, he recorded five tackles (four solo.). He was released on October 9, and re-signed on October 16.[9] He was released again, for the final time by the Chargers on December 3, 1999.

On February 15, 2000, Mims was signed by the Chicago Bears.[9] He was released on August 22, 2000,[9] after missing a practice because he overslept.[11]

Career statistics

[edit]
Season Defense Fumbles
Year Team GP GS Tack. Solo. Ass. Sacks TFL FF FR
1992 SD 16 4 53 – – 10 – 1 1
1993 SD 16 7 32 – – 7 – 2 2
1994 SD 16 16 35 28 7 11 – 3 2
1995 SD 15 15 28 24 4 2 – 1 1
1996 SD 15 15 20 12 8 6 – 2 2
1997 WAS 11 7 16 10 6 4 – 1 0
1998 SD 6 0 3 0 3 2 – 0 0
1999 SD 9 0 5 4 1 0 – 0 0
Career 104 64 192 – – 42 – 10 8

Later years and death

[edit]

Mims was the sixth member of the 1994 San Diego Chargers AFC championship team to die young, the others being David Griggs, Rodney Culver, Doug Miller, Junior Seau, and Curtis Whitley.[3] During his final years, Mims was unable to take care of himself and he lived on disability payments and avoided bill collectors.[3]

On October 15, 2008, Mims was found dead in his Los Angeles apartment by police officers conducting a welfare check.[12] The cause of death was determined to be an enlarged heart. He weighed 456 pounds or 207 kilograms at the time of his death.[3] A few years prior to his death, he had suffered a stroke.[3] Mims like his father Lorenzo died at 38 . [2]

Personal life

[edit]

Mims had one son, Christopher Eddie Mims Jr.[3]

[edit]

During his playing career, Mims had numerous legal troubles. Among them were charges of assault, vandalism, and driving under the influence.[11] He was taken to court more than 20 times for unpaid bills in San Diego County.[3] He is reported to have defaulted on a $243,750 house loan during the Chargers' Super Bowl season. He neglected bills for his Mercedes-Benz 600 SEL, attorneys' fees, carpet bills, liquor bills and, at times, child support.[3]

In 1995, he was cited by a Superior Court judge for not making monthly payments of $5,000 to a man whose windshield he smashed in a traffic dispute. Mr. Mims got out of his vehicle in standstill traffic on Interstate 163 near Scripps Ranch, Ca. and attempted to fight a man in another vehicle. Mr. Mims broke the drivers side window in an attempt to harm the driver. The driver was a retired LAPD officer, Captain Robert Michael. Mims once realizing, fled the scene but San Diego Police caught and cited him with the San Diego Chargers ultimately paying the court ordered restitution.[3]

In 1998, he was convicted of refusing to take a blood-alcohol test after being pulled over on suspicion of driving drunk.[3]

In 1999, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge after he hit a man with a belt outside a Del Taco.[13]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Chris Mims

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Chris Mims (September 29, 1970 – October 15, 2008) was an American professional football player who was a in the (). Drafted by the in the first round of the , Mims played eight seasons in the , primarily with the Chargers (1992–1999), and briefly with the Washington Redskins in 2000. Standing at 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) and weighing 288 lb (131 kg), he recorded 25.5 career sacks and was known for his pass-rushing ability during his tenure with the Chargers. Mims died of a heart attack at age 38.

Early life and education

Childhood and family background

Christopher Eddie Mims was born on September 29, 1970, in , . Mims grew up in South Central Los Angeles, a tough urban neighborhood plagued by gang violence between groups like the and , amid broader socioeconomic hardships that affected many families in the area. When he was 11 years old, his father, Lorenzo Mims, was killed at age 38 in an apparent , an event that deeply affected the family emotionally and left them grappling with grief and instability. After his father's death, Mims was raised by his mother, Carleen Hastings, in a single-parent that included a sister six years his junior and twin half-brothers 12 years younger; financial resources were limited, exacerbating the challenges of daily life in their community. These early personal struggles, including the loss and economic pressures, fostered Mims' initial interest in football as a positive outlet to navigate his circumstances and avoid the dangers surrounding him. This foundation later propelled him toward organized athletics in high school.

High school career

Chris Mims attended in , , where he emerged as a standout defensive lineman. Coming from a family in South-Central facing economic hardships, with no relatives having attended university, Mims channeled his dedication into football as a means to pursue higher education and improve his family's circumstances. During his senior year in 1987, Mims, standing at 6 feet 6 inches and weighing 210 pounds, set school single-season records for sacks and tackles while anchoring the defensive line. His dominant performance earned him All-Southern League honors and a spot on the All-Central City Football Team as a first-team defensive lineman. Despite his athletic prowess drawing attention from college scouts, Mims faced significant academic challenges, including failing to meet the NCAA's Proposition 48 requirements—such as achieving a minimum 700 SAT score—which rendered him initially ineligible for Division I programs and delayed his path.

College career

Due to academic ineligibility from his high school performance, Mims initially attended community colleges in to improve his grades and eligibility. He began at in 1988, where he played football after the program was reinstated, before transferring to and then Los Angeles Southwest . At Southwest , Mims earned first-team All-American honors as a , showcasing his athletic potential as a defensive lineman. Following his junior college success, Mims was recruited by University of Tennessee assistant coach A.J. Christoff and transferred to the Volunteers in 1990. His recruitment highlighted his raw talent and engaging personality, which helped him integrate quickly with the team despite arriving from . Over two seasons with (1990–1991), Mims developed into a key defensive contributor, playing in 19 games. In his junior and senior years, Mims recorded 90 tackles and 9.5 sacks, along with 12 pass deflections, bolstering the Volunteers' defensive line against SEC rivals. His senior season in 1991 was particularly strong, earning him All-SEC first-team honors and recognition for his disruptive presence in the team's defensive schemes. These performances helped prepare Mims for professional football while contributing to 's competitive defenses in the .

Professional career

NFL draft and rookie year

Mims was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the first round (23rd overall) of the 1992 NFL Draft, drawn by his college production at the University of Tennessee where he recorded 90 tackles and 9.5 sacks over two seasons. Following the draft, Mims signed a four-year rookie contract worth approximately $3 million with the Chargers in June 1992, allowing him to participate fully in training camp preparations. During training camp at the University of San Diego, he faced the rigors of professional conditioning, including two-a-day practices that temporarily slowed his weight room progress while he adjusted to the demands of NFL-level intensity; he gained about 10 pounds but described the experience as challenging. In his 1992 rookie season, Mims appeared in all 16 games for the Chargers, starting four, and recorded 53 tackles and 10 sacks, contributing to the team's defensive efforts with a safety and earning consideration for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. His performance highlighted an adaptation to the faster pace and complex schemes of the professional game under Chargers head coach , where he focused on pass-rushing techniques to disrupt quarterbacks like .

Tenure with San Diego Chargers

Chris Mims spent the majority of his career with the , playing from to 1996 and returning for two more seasons in 1998 and 1999. Drafted in the first round in , he initially rotated on the defensive line, starting four games as a and seven in 1993 while developing his pass-rushing skills alongside veterans like . By his third season, Mims had emerged as a key starter, anchoring the left position in a rotation that emphasized speed and disruption. Mims' tenure peaked in 1994, when he recorded career highs of 11 sacks, 42 tackles (35 solo), three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries over 16 starts, contributing significantly to the Chargers' 42 sacks as a team. His disruptive presence helped San Diego's defense rank among the top units, allowing just 19.1 points per game and paving the way for an 11-5 record and the title. In the playoffs, Mims started all three games during the Chargers' run to , tallying nine tackles and one forced fumble, including a standout performance in the victory over the . He continued as a starter in 1995 and 1996, registering two sacks in 1995 and six in 1996, while forcing two fumbles each year and aiding the team's defensive efforts despite missing one game annually. Following the 1996 season, the Chargers released Mims in April 1997 to clear $1.5 million in space, allowing them to sign veteran William Fuller. Mims returned to later that year on a more limited role, appearing in six games without a start in 1998 and recording two sacks, before playing nine games in 1999 with no starts or sacks as his production declined. Throughout his Chargers stints, he amassed 38 of his 42 career sacks, establishing himself as a cornerstone of the franchise's most successful era.

Stints with other teams and retirement

After being released by the in April 1997, Mims signed a contract with the in June of that year. His tenure with the Redskins was limited by injuries, including in July 1997 that caused him to miss significant time and required him to shed excess weight for recovery. He appeared in 11 games with seven starts, recording 22 tackles (16 solo) and 4.0 sacks before an abdominal strain sidelined him further in the latter part of the season. Following his release from after the 1997 season, Mims returned to the Chargers for 1998 and 1999 but struggled with consistent performance amid ongoing weight issues and injuries that had begun to erode his effectiveness from his peak years in the early . In July 2000, at age 29, he signed a one-year contract with the in an attempt to revive his career. However, he was released during in August after oversleeping and missing a practice, effectively ending his NFL career. Mims' brief stints outside the Chargers were hampered by recurring injuries, such as the and abdominal issues that limited his mobility and playing time, as well as fluctuations that saw him often exceed 300 pounds, impacting his conditioning and on-field output. These factors, combined with a decline in performance from his earlier promise, contributed to his inability to secure a long-term role with either or Bears.

Career statistics and achievements

Chris Mims played eight seasons in the from 1992 to 1999, primarily as a for the , with a brief stint with the Washington Redskins in 1997. Over his career, he appeared in 104 games, starting 64, and recorded 221 combined tackles, 42.0 sacks, and 8 fumble recoveries. The following table provides a year-by-year breakdown of Mims' key defensive statistics:
SeasonTeamGamesStartsTackles (Solo/Assist/Total)SacksFumble Recoveries
1992SDG16453/0/5310.01
1993SDG16732/0/327.02
1994SDG161635/7/4211.02
1995SDG151528/4/322.01
1996SDG151520/8/286.02
1997WAS11716/6/224.00
1998SDG603/3/62.00
1999SDG905/1/60.00
Career Totals10464192/29/22142.08
Mims peaked in , his first full season as a starter, when he led the Chargers with tackles and a career-high 11.0 sacks, tying for seventh in the that year. His performance that season contributed to the Chargers' defense ranking among the league's top units en route to the AFC Championship. Among defensive linemen of the , Mims ranked 19th in overall performance during the 1994 season, based on composite metrics of tackles, sacks, and other defensive contributions. His career sack total placed him as a solid mid-tier pass rusher for his era, though he did not earn honors.

Personal life

Mims holds a in and behavioral from . He resides in , . Little is publicly known about Mims' family or relationships, as he maintains a private focused on his professional work in and authorship. There are no documented legal troubles or controversies associated with him.

Later years and death

Post-retirement health struggles

Following his retirement from the in 2000, Chris Mims relied on to support himself, stemming from chronic injuries sustained during his football career that left him unable to work or manage daily tasks independently. Friends and neighbors reported that he became increasingly reclusive, with a occasionally assisting him at his apartment, highlighting the extent of his physical limitations. In the mid-2000s, Mims suffered a that further impaired his mobility and cognitive processing, exacerbating his isolation and contributing to a cycle of declining health. This event, occurring a few years prior to his later years, limited his ability to engage in , compounding issues from prior knee injuries that had left him without in one . Medical consultations for potential were complicated by his condition, as doctors recommended before any procedure could proceed, but his immobility made exercise unfeasible. Post-retirement inactivity and poor diet led to significant weight gain, with Mims reaching 456 pounds by the late 2000s—more than double his college weight and approximately 100 pounds heavier than in the prior year alone. This was linked to his following the rigors of professional football, as well as dietary habits developed in isolation, rendering basic increasingly difficult. His ongoing legal troubles added stress that likely worsened these health challenges, though he made limited attempts to address them through medical advice alone.

Circumstances of death

Chris Mims was found dead on October 15, 2008, in his apartment in , , at the age of 38. A friend discovered his body facedown on the bathroom floor of Apartment 409 around 9 a.m., prompting a welfare check by police; paramedics arrived at 9:24 a.m. and pronounced him dead at 9:35 a.m., with no evidence of foul play. The official cause of death, determined post-mortem by the Los Angeles County coroner's office, was an enlarged heart (), complicated by ischemic and . At the time of his death, Mims weighed 456 pounds, a factor linked to his morbid and prior health issues, including a suffered a few years earlier. Mims' mother, Carleen Hastings, expressed confusion and grief over the sudden loss, stating, "We still haven’t quite connected the dots." His death marked him as the fifth member of the 1994 AFC Championship team to die young, following others including Curtis Whitley earlier that year.

Legacy and tributes

Chris Mims is recognized as a talented whose NFL career, marked by a first-round draft selection in 1992 and a starting role in the ' appearance, was tragically abbreviated by off-field challenges. His potential as an impact player, evidenced by 10 sacks in his rookie season, positioned him as a rising star before personal difficulties overshadowed his achievements. Former teammates frequently tribute Mims for his infectious personality and ability to foster team camaraderie during his tenure with the Chargers. Linebacker described him as a "genuine guy" whose mere presence could "make everybody smile, just off his aura alone." recalled Mims as "one of the personalities of the locker room," noting his constant laughter and comedic exchanges with players like Reuben Davis and Shawn Lee, which turned road trips into "a comedy show." Linebacker Gary Plummer echoed this, calling him "happy-go-lucky" and emphasizing his jovial nature that brought levity to the team environment. The Chargers organization honors Mims as a key member of their 1994 AFC championship squad, often referencing him alongside other teammates in commemorations of that era's roster. During the public memorial for , Chargers president highlighted the deaths of eight players from the 1994 team, including Mims, underscoring the enduring bond and shared history of that group. In Los Angeles sports lore, Mims remains a poignant figure from Dorsey High School, where he set single-season records for sacks and tackles as a senior, symbolizing local pride in a career that reached the NFL's highest stage. Mims' post-retirement trajectory has been cited in broader conversations about the 's need for enhanced player support systems, serving as a cautionary example of the vulnerabilities former athletes face. An analysis notes that 78% of NFL players encounter financial distress, , or within two years of retiring, a pattern reflected in Mims' struggles with isolation and despite earning nearly $6 million during his career. Former NFL Players Association executive Jaime Shepherd observed that players like Mims often fail to set boundaries with friends and family post-career, exacerbating financial woes. Defensive line coach Lew Bush added that cultural stigmas around seeking help hinder many young athletes, amplifying the risks Mims exemplified. These discussions, including reflections on the "tragic toll" of the 1994 Chargers—where Mims was the fifth member to die young—advocate for improved transition programs to safeguard players' long-term well-being.

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MimsCh20.htm
  2. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2009/06/07/chris-mims-a-fallen-stars-burnout/
  3. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-09-28-sp-306-story.html
  4. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-12-13-sp-28602-story.html
  5. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-08-02-sp-5776-story.html
  6. http://static.espn.go.com/nfl/profiles/profile/2064.html
  7. https://247sports.com/college/tennessee/Article/Ex-Vol-Chris-Mims-dead-104558127/
  8. https://lasentinel.net/former-dorsey-standout-chris-mims-dead-at-38.html
  9. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-11-24-sp-993-story.html
  10. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-22-sp-640-story.html
  11. https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2008/10/17/636513/remembering-chris-mims
  12. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sdg/1994.htm
  13. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-oct-16-sp-mims16-story.html
  14. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MimsCh20/gamelog/post/
  15. https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/15/sports/chargers-get-fuller.html
  16. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/07/23/redskins-lose-mims-to-knee-surgery/548920ab-22e3-4033-aa32-d01635a0afc6/
  17. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/11/22/frerotte-hurts-shoulder-says-hell-play-vs-giants/9a313853-1a9a-454c-9e9b-9a4b1c3f0fa7/
  18. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2000/07/28/a-1-year-contract-with-the-bears-gives-the-lineman-a-final-chance-to-put-his-occasional-missteps-behind-him/
  19. https://www.sbsun.com/general-news/20081016/harbor-colleges-chris-mims-who-starred-for-the-sd-chargers-found-dead/
  20. https://www.baltimoresun.com/2008/10/15/police-ex-chargers-lineman-mims-found-dead/
  21. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2008/10/15/ex-teammates-recall-mims-making-others-smile/
  22. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/07/22/mimss-injury-could-badly-hurt-his-shot-at-comeback/cf28c050-bffa-4821-8de4-401c3e421bc9/
  23. https://ainsworthsports.com/football_player_rankings_by_season_nfl_dl_1990s.htm
  24. https://www.harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/christopher-mims-20216282913620
  25. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/10042606/losing-weight-winning-former-nfl-offensive-linemen
  26. https://archive.knoxnews.com/sports/tragic-toll-of-the-1994-chargers-ep-410563780-359653011.html/
  27. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2012/05/05/chargers-deaths-cast-pall-over-charmed-season/
  28. https://nypost.com/2012/05/12/junior-seaus-no-55-retired-by-chargers-as-thousands-attend-public-tribute/
  29. https://www.nfl.com/news/rash-of-tragedies-leaves-1994-chargers-searching-for-answers-09000d5d828fa9ce
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