Phil Simms Biography: Hidden Truth About The Former New York Giants Player… Everything You Need To Know

Phil Simms is a well-known quarterback celebrated for his toughness, leadership, and precision on the football field. He built a lasting legacy in American football, starting from his modest beginnings in Kentucky to becoming the face of the New York Giants.

This article explores the life and career of a man synonymous with determination and triumph in American football, all while battling through injury challenges.

Philip Martin Simms Profile Summary

Full Name	Philip Martin Simms
Date of Birth	November 3, 1955
Birthplace	Springfield, Kentucky
NFL Team	New York Giants
NFL Draft	1979 NFL Draft – First-round pick, seventh overall by the New York Giants
Career Achievements	– Named to NFL All-Rookie Team – Runner-up for “Rookie of the Year” in 1979 – Pro Bowl selection in 1984 – Pro Bowl MVP in 1984
Net Worth	Estimated net worth of $16 million
Age	As of 2023, 68 years old (will turn 69 later in the year)

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Phil Simms Biography

Philip Martin Simms, born on November 3, 1955, is a former American professional football player who spent 15 years as a quarterback. His entire career was dedicated to the New York Giants in the National Football League (NFL).

Simms was born in Springfield, Kentucky, on his grandfather’s farm, which is now called Maple Hill Manor in Washington County.

He began his education at St. Dominic’s Elementary School, but his family later moved to Louisville during his elementary school years. In Louisville, he attended St. Rita Catholic grade school.

Simms became the quarterback for the Trojans at Southern High School in Louisville and graduated in 1974.

Phil Simms’ Career

Simms chose to attend NCAA Division II Morehead State, which competed in the Ohio Valley Conference. During his time at Morehead State, the Eagles followed a ball-control offensive strategy. In his senior season, Simms’ statistics were not particularly outstanding.

He completed 92 out of 173 passes, with a completion rate of 53.2 percent. He threw six touchdown passes but also had 11 interceptions, totaling 1,229 yards.

In 1978, the Ohio Valley Conference moved to the new Division I-AA. Unfortunately, the Eagles struggled with a 2-6-1 record, failing to secure a postseason appearance throughout Simms’ college career.

His overall college statistics included 409 completions in 835 attempts, a completion rate of 48.9 percent, 32 touchdowns, 45 interceptions, and holding the school record with 5,545 yards.

Before the 1979 NFL Draft, Bill Walsh, the new head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, and assistant coach Sam Wyche, visited Morehead State to assess Simms.

Walsh was so impressed that he intended to select Simms in the third round of the draft, favoring him over Joe Montana from Notre Dame. However, the New York Giants surprised many by making Simms their first-round pick, seventh overall.

Initially, Simms was not excited about joining the Giants, as he had other teams in mind like the Green Bay Packers, the Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego, or San Francisco. However, he quickly won the affection of his teammates during his rookie training camp, earning the nickname “Prince Valiant.”

In his rookie year in 1979, Simms had an impressive start, winning his first five games as a starter. He finished the season with a 6-4 record, throwing for 1,743 yards and 13 touchdown passes. He was honored by being named to the NFL All-Rookie Team and was the runner-up for “Rookie of the Year,” with Ottis Anderson, a future teammate, claiming the top spot.

Over the next four years, Simms faced challenges marked by injuries and inconsistent performance. In the 1980 season, he managed to throw 15 touchdowns but struggled with 19 interceptions, a completion rate below par at 48.0 percent, and a total of 2,321 passing yards.

In 1981, Simms threw for 2,031 yards, achieving 11 touchdowns and 9 interceptions with a slightly improved completion rate of 54.4 percent. Unfortunately, his season was cut short when he suffered a separated shoulder during a November 15 loss to the Washington Redskins.

In a pre-season game against the New York Jets in 1982, Simms suffered a torn knee ligament, preventing him from playing for the entire season. This period saw a coaching change, with Bill Parcells stepping in as the new head coach.

In the sixth game of the Giants’ 1983 season, Simms was called upon to replace the struggling Scott Brunner against the Philadelphia Eagles. However, during his third drive, Simms suffered a season-ending injury when his thumb on his throwing hand struck a player’s helmet during his follow-through.

In his early years with the Giants, Simms faced criticism from fans who viewed him as a disappointment. However, in 1984, he finally emerged as a leader on the offensive side of the team. During his recovery from the 1983 injury, the Giants’ offensive coordinator, Ron Erhardt, encouraged Simms to study game film more diligently. This helped him gain a better understanding of NFL defenses and his team’s strategies.

The result of this change was evident as he passed for 4,044 yards, threw 22 touchdown passes, and led the Giants to a playoff berth in the 1984 season. Simms’ performance earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl and the title of Pro Bowl MVP.

On September 4, 1995, a memorable moment occurred when Simms’ jersey was retired during a halftime ceremony. In an emotional speech, Simms expressed his desire to put on his jersey one last time and throw “one more pass” to his teammate Lawrence Taylor.

Following his retirement as a player in 1994, Simms transitioned into broadcasting. He initially joined ESPN and later moved to NBC’s lead broadcast crew. In 1998, Simms transitioned to CBS, where he worked on the AFC package and collaborated with Jim Nantz. He also appeared in various TV shows and received several honors, including induction into the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Phil Simms’ Stats

During his 14-year tenure with the New York Giants, Simms achieved notable career statistics. He completed 2,576 passes out of 4,647 attempts, amassing 33,462 yards and throwing 199 touchdowns.

Some of his records have since been surpassed, but he still holds several New York Giants passing records.

Phil Simms’ Net Worth

Phil Simms has an estimated net worth of $16 million.

Phil Simms’ Family

Simms and his wife, Diana, reside in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, and have three children: Chris, Deirdre, and Matt. His son-in-law is the former NFL linebacker Brian Toal.

Phil Simms’ Age

Phil Simms was born on November 3, 1955. As of 2023, he is 68 years old and will turn 69 later in the year.

Phil Simms Now

Currently, Phil Simms holds a position as a television sports broadcaster at the CBS network.