Phil Simms
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| Phil Simms | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | November 3, 1955 (age 51) |
| Place of birth |  Louisville, Kentucky |
| Position(s) | Quarterback |
| College | Morehead State |
| NFL Draft | 1979 / Round 1/ Pick 7 |
| Pro Bowls | 2 |
| Stats | |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 1979-1993 | New York Giants |
Phillip Martin Simms (born November 3, 1955, in Lebanon, Kentucky) is a former quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League and currently a television sportscaster for the CBS network. He is also the father of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms.
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[edit] Early Life and NFL Career
Simms was born on his grandfather's farm, a place now called Maple Hill Manor in Washington County, Kentucky. While a young elementary student the family moved and Simms grew up in Louisville, later starting his NFL career when drafted out of Morehead State University, in the first round of the 1979 NFL Draft, by the New York Giants.
Before the 1979 NFL Draft, Bill Walsh, who was the new coach of the San Francisco 49ers, flew to Morehead State with Assistant Coach Sam Wyche to work out Simms.[1] Walsh was so impressed with the young quarterback that he planned to draft Phil in the 3rd round, actually preferring him over another young quarterback they scouted and ultimately drafted, Joe Montana.[2] But the New York Giants decided to make Simms their first round pick. When Simms's name was announced by Commissioner Pete Rozelle, his selection was booed loudly by Giants fans, something he would get used to in his early Giant years. However, he became more popular with his teammates who jokingly dubbed him "Prince Valiant" in his rookie training camp.[3]
Simms won his first five starts of his rookie year.[4] He led the team to a 6-4 record as a starter, throwing for 1,743 yards and 13 touchdown passes and was named to the NFL All Rookie Team. According to his 1981 Topps card, he was runner-up in 1979 for Rookie of the Year, losing out to future teammate, Ottis Anderson.[5]
[edit] 1980-1983
His next four years were marred by injuries. During the 1980 NFL season, Simms separated his shoulder against the Washington Redskins in Week 13 and was out for the remaining games. Simms suffered a torn knee ligament in a preseason game against the New York Jets, preventing him from playing the entire 1982 NFL season. During the 6th game of the Giants' 1983 Season, Simms came in to replace struggling starter Scott Brunner against the Philadelphia Eagles. On his second drive, Simms suffered a season-ending injury when the thumb on his throwing hand hit a player's helmet on his follow-through. The injury was reported as a dislocation, but according to the Dick Schaap book, Simms to McConkey, the injury was much more severe, with the thumb literally hanging off after impact, with the bone sticking out through the skin.[6]
[edit] 1984-1986
In 1984, after many seasons plagued by injuries and a less than stellar offensive supporting cast, Simms finally emerged as a team offensive leader. He passed for 4,044 yards (2nd most in NFC) and 22 touchdown passes and led the Giants to a playoff berth. He was voted to the Pro Bowl and led the NFC to a comeback win over the AFC throwing 3 TD's. He was voted the Pro Bowl MVP. The next year, he passed for 3,829 yards and 22 touchdown passes and led the Giants to 10 victories, the most for a Giants team since 1963. In a game against the Cincinnati Bengals during the 1985 season, Simms passed for 513 yards, which is the 5th most passing yards in a single game in NFL history.[7] In 1986, he passed for 3,487 yards and 21 touchdown passes during a season in which the Giants won 14 games. In a game that Simms says was his favorite game, he completed a key fourth-and-17 pass to Bobby Johnson late in the game to set up Raul Allegre's game-winning field goal, which gave the Giants a 22-20 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
[edit] Super Bowl XXI
In Super Bowl XXI, the Giants met the Denver Broncos. In the biggest game of his life, Simms had one of the finest performances in Super Bowl History.[8] Simms completed 22 of 25 passes,with 2 dropped passes, for 268 yards, setting Super Bowl records for consecutive completions(10),[9] accuracy(88%),[9] and passer rating(150.9). In addition, he threw 3 touchdown passes. His passer rating was also an NFL postseason record. "This might be the best game a quarterback has ever played," Giants coach Bill Parcells later said.[10] Two of the most famous plays from the game were the flea flicker to Phil McConkey, and the touchdown pass caught by McConkey off of the fingertips of Giants tight end, Mark Bavaro. The Giants defeated the Broncos 39-20, and Simms was named MVP of Super Bowl XXI. He is credited for being the first to use the phrase "I'm going to Disneyland!"/"I'm going to Walt Disney World Resort!" following a championship victory. (Disney produces two versions of each TV commercial.)
[edit] 1987-1990
Simms performed well in the strike-shortened 1987 NFL season, finishing with the 2nd highest quarterback rating in the NFC.[11] In 1990, he had one of his finest seasons, leading the NFC with the highest quarterback rating(92.7)[12] and an 11-3 record. But his season was cut short due to a broken foot suffered in the 14th game against the Giants' eventual Super Bowl opponent, the Buffalo Bills.
[edit] Later career
Simms was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1985 and 1993. In 1985 he earned the honor of Pro Bowl MVP. Simms was unable to participate in the 1993 Pro Bowl, due to lingering injuries. He had started all 16 games that season, being one of only seven quarterbacks to do so but he underwent shoulder surgery after the 1993 NFL Season to repair a torn labrum. The surgery was successful, and team doctor Russell F. Warren's prognosis for recovery was excellent, expecting Simms to be ready in time for training camp.[13] However, later during that offseason, Simms was released by the Giants. He subsequently decided to retire.
[edit] Career statistics
Phil Simms was part of two Super Bowl championship teams. In his 14 seasons with the Giants, Simms completed 2,576 out of 4,647 passes for 33,462 yards and 199 touchdowns. His career passing yardage total ranks him 20th on the NFL All-Time Passing Yardage Leaders list.[14] He added 349 carries for 1,252 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground. Simms owns many of the New York Giants passing records, along with Kerry Collins. Sports Illustrated considered him to be the "Most Underrated Quarterback" in NFL History in their August 27, 2001 issue entitled, "The Most Overrated and Underrated".[2]
[edit] Broadcasting career
After his retirement as a player in 1994, Simms went on to join NBC's lead broadcast crew, teaming with Dick Enberg and Paul Maguire on that network's coverage of Super Bowl XXX and Super Bowl XXXII.
In 1998 he moved to CBS, teaming first with Greg Gumbel and currently with Jim Nantz on the lead broadcast team. Simms is known for his warm, conversational broadcasting style (as well as his tendency to say "eem" in place of "him" in his Kentucky accent), which has endeared him to many football fans who tune in every Sunday. However many football fans dislike his aggressive speaking style where he seems to be moderately yelling during analysis. Despite this Simms is respected and admired in the broadcasting industry.
- See also: NFL on NBC and NFL on CBS
[edit] Personal
He is a legend in the minds of Giants fans, and his jersey #11 has been retired by the team. Since he has been retired for more than 5 years, he is eligible for selection into the Pro Football Hall of Fame; he has yet to be inducted, however.
Prior to the 2006 election campaign, some bloggers suggested that Simms seek the Republican nomination for U.S. Senator from New Jersey, comparing his appeal to former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley. The entry of Thomas Kean, Jr. to the 2006 senate race ended this speculation.
Phil is married to Diana, and they have three children: Chris Simms, Deirdre and Matthew.
[edit] References
- ^ Simms, Phil; Rick Meier (1996). Phil Simms On Passing. New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc., 74-75.
- ^ a b Peter King (2001-08-27). "The Rating Game". Sports Illustrated 95 (8): 60. ISSN: 0038 - 822X. Retrieved on 2007-01-01.
- ^ Katz, Michael. Giants Test Simms in A Workout; Pisarcik Overweight, The New York Times, May 11, 1979, retrieved March 20, 2007.
- ^ Darren Rovell (2004). Roethlisberger in demand. Retrieved on January 1, 2007.
- ^ Topps Football (1981). Card #55.
- ^ Schaap, Dick (1987). Simms to McConkey. Crown Publishing.
- ^ Palmer, Johnson have Saints singing the blues. Retrieved on January 3, 2007.
- ^ Super Bowl MVPs. Retrieved on January 6, 2007.
- ^ a b Super Bowl Recaps. Retrieved on January 3, 2007.
- ^ The List: Best Super Bowl performances. Retrieved on January 1, 2007.
- ^ 1987 NFL Statistic - Passing. Retrieved on January 1, 2007.
- ^ 1990 NFL Statistic - Passing. Retrieved on January 1, 2007.
- ^ PRO FOOTBALL; Simms's Surgery Goes Well. The New York Times (1994). Retrieved on January 1, 2007.
- ^ NFL All-Time Passing Yardage Leaders (2007). Retrieved on January 2, 2007.
| Preceded by Richard Dent |
NFL Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XXI, 1987 |
Succeeded by Doug Williams |
| Preceded by Joe Pisarcik |
New York Giants starting quarterback 1979-80 |
Succeeded by Scott Brunner |
| Preceded by Scott Brunner |
New York Giants starting quarterback 1984-93 |
Succeeded by Dave Brown |
