REMEMBERING T.J. SIMERS

The Family Man

by Tracy Simers (Daughter)

TJ Simers, 73, passed away June 2, 2024 from a glioblastoma surrounded by his “women” – wife, Ginny and daughters, Tracy and Kelly.

Others will remember him for being the man Jim McMahon blew his nose on or the man who went toe to toe with Jeff Kent or the man who nicknamed Jamie McCourt the “Screaming Meanie.”

But we remember him as husband, dad, GP, brother and friend.  We know him as the man who told everyone he met that his grandkids were prettier than theirs.  We also know him as the man “who knows funny” – a man who thought there was no greater calling than trying to make people laugh to start the day.  He was the man who believed in tradition – Vegas for March Madness, Desert Ridge for summer family vacations, and Christmas all together in matching pajamas.

He was the man who hated soccer and hated to be cold in equal measure but would bundle up to cheer on his granddaughters.  He was the man who lived in California but coached his oldest granddaughter’s basketball team – traveling state-to-state multiple times a week.  He was the man who loved our mom for 51 years. 

He is survived/forever loved by Ginny, Tracy (aka Miss Radio Personality), Kelly, son-in-law Bret Nielsen (aka -The Bagger), granddaughters Mackenzie Nielsen (aka The 7-11 Kid), Rylee Nielsen, Emma Nielsen and Tatum Nielsen, sisters Martha Gleason and Megan Claire and brother Gar Simers.  And really, so many more.

The Newspaper Man

by Bill Dwyre (Boss, Friend)

Someday, possibly years in the future, some of those practicing sports journalism will get sick of the space and time-sucking pablum they are feeding their readers and viewers and listeners.

One of them, or maybe a group of them, will meet and say “ENOUGH.” We need substance, toughness, insight, depth. But how do we get that? All our teams and players and sources are now used to being loved and pandered to, and they won’t be open to start telling us the truth, or anything that doesn’t directly shed a positive light on them. Is it too late? Can we ever get back to digging out the truth about teams and players and management? Can we dare suddenly becoming tough and aggressive and direct in our interviewing approach?

What do we do? Where do we start? Will our editors even understand, or allow us to do this?

And then a young woman will speak up.  “Go back in the files. Look it up. Read it. All of it. There was once a writer, a sports columnist, who did all of that, who took on the fat cats and sacred cows and spoiled brats, as well as finding the good people and the good causes and writing about them, too.  It should be our textbook.”

His name was TJ Simers.

The Man

by Gar Simers (Brother)

Everything is fleeting in life…I am currently watching the Canadian Golf Open - and that’s what the announcer just said. My right leg is still elevated after total ankle replacement - but this is not about me - it is about TJ Simers. He has been my big brother for the past 66 years. He has always been there for me, my sisters, and my children over the years. If you needed guidance or help, you did not need to ask for it - as he beat you to the punch and was always there.

This is about TJ - Thomas John Simers - there I said it (we were never able to divulge this to anyone in the past), it was a secret. TJ was special ~ a gifted student, an award-winning national sportswriter, a great brother, father, grandfather and much more.  Simply, he was the patriarch of our family growing up, his family and the Nielsen family as GP. There will never be another TJ. Tough, gritty, acerbic - but also thoughtful, caring and comforting. I could not have asked or deserved a better brother - period. He buried my mother and father. He supported many of our families - in any way he could - whether it be emotionally, physically, or financially. He was always there - whether you wanted him or not.

TJ as a writer, was either loved or hated by his readers for many years - and he didn’t care which side you were on - as long as you picked up the paper. He was as tough as they come.  He loved John Wooden (UCLA) and Sandy Koufax and Clayton Kershaw (LA Dodgers). TJ was a man of character and sought those who had it!

More than anything, TJ was about family - he protected and LOVED, wife Ginny, daughters Tracy and Kelly and his grandchildren more than they will ever know.

TJ would say let’s have a martini!

Say a prayer for TJ - he may just come back as a fly on the wall in an NFL locker room.