Simon 100 percent sure about another recovery

"I pride myself on being strong and not crumbling under pressure,'' Simon said. "I'm not going to let it break my spirit.''

Big words, but then, Simon is a big man. Few suffer the type of pain Simon has endured the past four years.

Simon was on top of the world after leading Concord De La Salle High School to its fifth straight California state title in 2000. He exited the high school as the nation's No. 1-rated linebacker.

But beginning with the 2000 national high school all-star game in Dallas, things took a turn for the worse. While chasing future Virginia Tech All-American tailback Kevin Jones, Simon planted his right leg and felt his knee pop. Suddenly, his freshman year of college was gone. A redshirt -- not an orange -- awaited him at Tennessee.

But that was nothing compared to the loss Simon suffered months later, when his older brother, Kenneth, was shot and killed while trying to break up a fight at a restaurant in California. The loss of his brother put things into perspective for Simon and strengthened his resolve to make the most out of life. Suddenly, a knee injury wasn't the worst thing in the world.

Simon refused to be fazed by his next season-ending injury, a broken right ankle suffered against Rutgers in the fourth game of the 2002 season. The ankle forced him to play in pain throughout the 2003 season. Not yet back at 100 percent, Simon still led the Vols with 115 tackles and 4A 1/2 sacks.

A strong offseason set the table for Simon to have a bigger and better 2004 campaign. The NFL was a possibility, but a championship was the priority.

But now this, another season-ending injury, this time on what was previously referred to as his "good leg.''

Simon doesn't bother to ask if it's fair for one young man to deal with this many setbacks.

"I can't think like that,'' Simon said. "Tears aren't going to bring back your ACL. Being angry and mad won't help. You hold your head high and keep on pushing.

"It will be like my other two injuries, and what's happened in my family.''

Simon refuses to be a victim. He's not sitting around and waiting for someone to tell him his next move.

Already, he has approached his closest advisors -- his father, defensive coordinator John Chavis and coach Phillip Fulmer -- to discuss the best route for surgery.

He may elect to go back to California to have the surgery performed by Dr. Arthur Ting, a Bay Area specialist who works with the San Jose Sharks and Oakland Raiders. Ting performed the first knee surgery on Simon, and provided him with an accurate prognosis throughout the rehabilitation process.

Simon also plans to check into the services of Dr. James Andrews of Birmingham, Ala., who's arguably the most renowned sports orthopedic surgeon in the world.

"Coach Chavis told me whatever I decided to do, I have to have a peace of mind with the decision,'' Simon said. "Coach Fulmer told me he'll support my decision.''

Simon knows what questions to ask, such as whether it's better to use a cadaver replacement ligament, or perform a procedure that involves cutting part of his patella tendon.

"That's more cutting and bleeding, and I have a tendency to scar,'' Simon said, explaining the patella procedure.

The scarring leads to some of the toughest times of rehabilitation. Simon knows the pain that's ahead when he begins running and jumping in an effort to break down the scar tissue while regaining strength and range of motion.

Whichever specialist and procedure Simon chooses, he must move fast if he's to stay on his self-imposed schedule.

"I want to have the surgery by Oct. 1 so I have eight months to get ready to start training again,'' Simon said. "By May, I want to be working with a speed coach.''

Then it's on to two-a-days in August and a Master's degree. Simon is on pace to graduate in May. Should Simon need another year of eligibility, he's comfortable the NCAA would grant him a hardship waiver, as he has had two seasons cut short early by senior injuries.

"Kevin has faced this type of adversity before,'' Fulmer said. "Any of our trainers will tell you, he's been the best guy about being determined to work hard and diligently.

"Kevin Simon will be back on the field.''

Simon says it can't happen soon enough.