Phil Simms
New York Giants
Phillip
Simms drafted out of Morehead State University in the first round of the
1979 NFL draft by the New York Giants. In his rookie season he was named
to the NFL-All Rookie Team.
In 1984, Simms emerged as a team offensive leader. He passed for 4,044
yards and 22 touchdown passes and lead the Giants to a playoff berth.
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
1986, he passed for 3,487 yards and 21 touchdown passes as the Giants
won 14 games. In Super Bowl XXI, the Giants met the Denver Broncos. The
Giants had a legendary defense, but their offense was matched by John
Elway and the Broncos. Simms went 22 for 25 for 268 yards, setting Super
Bowl and postseason records for accuracy and passer rating with a rating
of 150.9. Simms was voted the Super Bowl MVP.
Simms was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1985 and 1993. In 1985 he earned
the honor of Pro Bowl MVP and in 1993 he led the NFC in passing
efficiency. Although sidelined by a broken foot, he was part of the
victorious 1990 Giants Super Bowl team. He was replaced that season by
Jeff Hostetler. Simms and Hostetler competed for the starting job in
1991 and 1992. In 1993, a new head coach, Dan Reeves, returned the
offense to Simms, who unexpectedly took the team to the playoffs and
returned to the Pro Bowl. Simms was dropped from the team in June 1994,
partly because of the new NFL salary cap and he retired.
In his 14 seasons with the Giants, Simms completed 2,576 out of 4,647
passes for 33,462 yards and 199 touchdowns. He added 349 carries for
1,252 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground. Simms owns virtually
all New York Giants passing records.
