Simms Undergoes Kidney Transplant

Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com

Former Revolution midfielder Clyde Simms, who’s battled a rare kidney disease since he was a teenager, received a kidney transplant on Thursday.

The Simms-owned Rev’d Indoor Cycling posted a message on Instagram earlier this week wishing the nine-year MLS veteran well with the procedure.

“Wishing our best friend @clydesimms19 a speedy recovery after tomorrow’s amazing gift. Tomorrow, Clyde receives the gift of a kidney from a friend. #Christmas is coming early. We love you Clyde!”

Following the news, former Revolution teammate Darrius Barnes took to Twitter to wish his friend well.

“Good luck to my bro @clydesimms19 today with his Kidney Transplant. It’s been a long time coming and I know everything will go well!”

Simms was forced to retire earlier this year at age 31 after the disease – Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) – had reduced his kidney function to close to 20 percent. The disease required him to undergo dialysis. After it dropped to 14 percent, Simms placed himself on the national wait list for a transplant.

Following his retirement, Simms stayed local by starting up Rev’d Indoor Cycling, a spin class studio located in Dedham, Mass. Additionally, he made public appeals to raise awareness about kidney disease, including the #OurFriendClyde campaign, which was targeted to the MLS community.

“People think it only happens to those who don’t care take of themselves,” Simms told the Washington Post earlier this year. “It’s a silent killer; there aren’t usually any symptoms. It happened to me and it can happen to anyone. If someone learns more about it and gets evaluated, it will make me happy. That’s my number one goal.”