Three Generations, One Legacy: The Simmons Family and Their Bond with Texas Southern
By Few families can claim a connection to Texas Southern University as enduring as the Simmons family, whose story stretches across more than 50 years and three generations of Tiger pride.
It all began in the early 1970s, when Canary Simmons made his way from Jacksonville, Florida, to Houston to attend Texas Southern. As a student-athlete, Simmons brought grit and commitment to the football field and his academic pursuits, laying the groundwork for a family legacy defined by resilience and excellence. Texas Southern University shared the Simmons family story as part of its ongoing celebration of alumni legacies.
His son, Michael Simmons, grew up listening to tales of his father’s experiences at Texas Southern—stories filled with hard work, growth, and the tight-knit community of teammates and classmates. Inspired by those memories, Michael chose to attend Texas Southern in the mid-1990s, continuing what had already become a family tradition. Like his father, he took the field as a Texas Southern football player, carrying forward the same discipline and spirit that Canary had modeled years before.
The legacy grew stronger with the next generation. Michael’s son, named Canary Michael Simmons in honor of his grandfather, joined the Texas Southern football team in 2021. Over the next four seasons, he donned the jersey with pride, honoring the path paved by those who came before him. On May 9, 2025, he graduated from Texas Southern, completing a journey that spans more than five decades.
The Simmons family’s story is more than just a series of athletic accomplishments—it’s a testament to tradition, perseverance, and the unbreakable ties between family and university.
Each generation has added to the legacy, walking the same campus paths, representing the same school, and strengthening the bond between Texas Southern and the name Simmons.
