Simmonds was discovered to have a blood clot in his lungs and was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism - a condition that could have been fatal.
Three years later, Simmonds has made a full recovery from the condition and his biggest health concern is the knee injury that has brought upon his mid-season retirement.
Many footballers struggle with the concept of life after football, but speaking on Thursday morning, Simmonds said he was lucky to have a life at all.
“I had that life-threatening cardio vascular event back in 2007 and faced a less than 10 per cent chance of living at that time. That changed my whole outlook on life,” he said.
“I had no idea what pulmonary embelism was at the time. I was just ready to get back out there and play. It really did set me back and it was a wake-up call. It showed we’re not bullet proof and you can’t take anything for granted in life.
“I learnt a lot about myself and that is what footy has done. It has been a great training ground for me. I said to the boys this morning it has given me a great vehicle to really learn about myself as a player, as a person and in a team environment.”
Simmonds has no lingering problems from his near-death episode and says the shock of it all helped him reassess what was important in life.
“Since 2008, I’ve been fine but it gave me a bit of a wake-up call to make sure I know my body really well and I do things a little differently to what I had in terms of what I eat,” he said.
“I got told that if it happened again my footy career would be over and I’d have to be on a drug for the rest of my life.”
Simmonds will play his last game against St Kilda next week but says he hopes to play some role in guiding Richmond’s young ruckmen Angus Graham, Ty Vickery and Andrew Browne for at least the rest of the season.
“ I’ve got a good relationship with a lot of the boys and I will help the young rucks where I can. I’m there if they want chat," he said.
"The other thing I weighed up was life after footy. I’ve got some things going on and and I’ve got a business in helping other people. I’m writing a book with a business partner that will hopefully be released at the end of the year."
Asked what his fondest memories of life as an AFL player would be, Simmonds took no time to identify a feeling that has been few and far between at Punt Rd in recent times.
“I said this morning to the boys, it’s the winning feeling. That first ten minutes after a game when you are arm-in-arm with the boys and thanking the supporters walking off the ground and singing the song,” he said.
“A lot of the young guys out here today haven’t experienced it yet but it’s just an amazing feeling when you win a game of football. I will take those memories with me.”
