The 5-foot-7, 145-pound Elkins native had learned the art of drop-kicking from his older brother, Charles. Simmons received statewide acclaim while in high school, then received more plaudits as a unique Mountaineer.

Oldtimers will remember Simmons mostly for making the damaging difference in a 16-14 upset of powerful Maryland in the 1948 regular-season finale. His field goal between two touchdowns wound up as the game winner.

Jim Tatum, the Terps' legendary coach, was fit to be tied after that contest.

He lamented that Football is a game mainly of giant-sized players and here was a mighty mite deciding the outcome of a big game.

"We beat our brains out trying to get our Football team in shape, drill them, work long hours, spill blood and break bones," Tatum said. "Then what happens, we go to West Virginia and watch some little runt, who doesn't even wear pads, kick us right out of the ballpark."

Simmons couldn't have been happier.

"That was a big thrill," he recently recalled "And that earned WVU another trip to the Sun Bowl at El Paso, Texas, and we beat Texas Western 21-12 to finish with a 9-3 record."

Dr. Dud DeGroot was the head coach in both 1948-49. Art "Pappy" Lewis was in his first year at the helm for Simmons' senior season.

"Gene is without a doubt the greatest drop-kicker I have ever seen," Lewis said ... and he had seen some fine kickers wile a player in the NFL.

Virginia Coach Art Guepe also praised Simmons for his drop-kicking ability. Simmons played on a Southern Conference all-star team that Guepe coached.

WVU has had just two drop-kickers in its Football history. Ed Kenna was the other, way back in 1901. He kicked a record three field goals in a victory over Grove City and did not play here after that year.

After the '48 Sun Bowl game, El Paso writer Chuck Whitlock observed: "The big boys did the heavy work, but until the next Sun Bowl rolls around, it's a half-pint drop-kicker that they'll be talking about."

Simmons, who turns 81 on Saturday, has been acclaimed by some as the greatest drop-kicking expert of modern times. He certainly remains the most memorable WVU ever had. He said a Houston author is in the process of writing a book about him.

"I thank God for the ability He gave me," Simmons said. "I thank all my teammates at Elkins High and the university. Without their blocking, I would not have accomplished what I did."

Simmons is a member of WVU's all-time team for the period 1950-59. He's also in the Randolph County Sports Hall of Fame and was honored among West Virginia's 20 greatest athletes and coaches during the state's centennial celebration in 1963.

He claims that he still holds the national high school scoring record for drop-kicking. That was 71 points to lead Elkins' undefeated 1945 team.

After graduating from WVU, Simmons learned to kick in a variety of ways.

In a workout with the Chicago Bears , he reportedly drop-kicked 111 straight extra points and also field goals from 20, 30 and 40 yards.

"I hit five straight right-footed from the 45, then switched over and drop-kicked five more with the left foot," he said. "I even kicked five while blind-folded. Patty Driscoll, the Bears' backfield coach, said he never saw the likes of that."

Simmons lives in Houston, but said his heart is still in West Virginia.

"I love the hills, the mountains, and the beauty of the state," he said. "I'll cherish these Football memories for the rest of my life."

Simmons has been retired from Houston Light & Power since 1992. He worked there for 29 years. His wife also was associated with that company.