Career Timeline of Phil Simms: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Phil Simms made an impact.

Phil Simms is a former NFL quarterback who played 14 seasons for the New York Giants. Drafted in 1979, he led the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XXI, earning MVP honors. In that game, he set Super Bowl records for completion percentage (88%) and passer rating (150.9), records that still stand. Simms was also selected to the Pro Bowl twice, recognizing his exceptional play during the 1985 and 1993 seasons. He played college football at Morehead State before his successful NFL career.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1979: Drafted by the New York Giants

In 1979, Phil Simms was drafted by the New York Giants as the seventh overall pick in the NFL draft after playing college football for the Morehead State Eagles.

1979: Named to the NFL All-Rookie Team

In 1979, Phil Simms won the first five starts of his rookie year. He finished the season with a 6-4 record, 1,743 passing yards, and 13 touchdown passes and was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team. He was also runner-up for Rookie of the Year, behind Ottis Anderson.

1979: NFL Draft and Initial Reaction

In 1979, despite interest from Bill Walsh of the 49ers, Phil Simms was drafted by the New York Giants as their first-round pick, a decision met with boos from Giants fans. He was the second quarterback taken, following Jack Thompson.

1984: Emergence as a Team Leader

In 1984, after struggling with injuries, Phil Simms emerged as an offensive leader, passing for 4,044 yards and 22 touchdowns, leading the Giants to a playoff berth.

1985: Pro Bowl and High Passing Yardage

In 1985, Phil Simms was voted to the Pro Bowl and named Pro Bowl MVP, leading the NFC to victory. During the season, he passed for 3,829 yards and 22 touchdowns. In a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Simms passed for 513 yards.

1986: 14-Win Season

In 1986, Phil Simms passed for 3,487 yards and 21 touchdowns, contributing to the Giants winning 14 games.

January 25, 1987: Super Bowl XXI MVP

On January 25, 1987, Phil Simms led the Giants to a 39-20 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI, completing 22 of 25 passes for 268 yards and 3 touchdowns. He was named Super Bowl XXI MVP for his outstanding performance and is credited for being the first to use the phrase "I'm going to Disney World!".

1993: Simms Leads Giants to 11-5 Season

In 1993, Phil Simms started all 16 games and led the Giants to an 11-5 season, including a playoff victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

1994: Joins ESPN after retirement

In 1994, following his retirement as a player, Phil Simms joined ESPN to begin his broadcasting career.

September 4, 1995: Jersey Retirement Ceremony

On September 4, 1995, Phil Simms' jersey was retired during a halftime ceremony at a game against the Dallas Cowboys. He gave an emotional speech and threw "one more pass" to Lawrence Taylor, which Taylor successfully caught despite the pressure.

1996: Announces weightlifting at the 1996 Summer Olympics

In 1996, Phil Simms announced weightlifting at the Summer Olympics. He also served as a sideline reporter on the NBA on NBC for NBC Sports.

1998: Moves to CBS

In 1998, Phil Simms moved to CBS with the AFC package, initially teaming with Greg Gumbel.

2002: Co-hosted Miss Universe 2002

In 2002, Phil Simms co-hosted the Miss Universe pageant with Daisy Fuentes.

2003: Teaming with Jim Nantz

At the end of the 2003 season, Phil Simms started teaming with Jim Nantz on CBS's lead broadcast team.

2007: Appeared on As the World Turns

In 2007, Phil Simms made an appearance as himself on the CBS soap opera As the World Turns.

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2009: Host of Inside the NFL

Since 2009, Phil Simms has been a host of Inside the NFL on Showtime with James Brown and Cris Collinsworth.

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February 2010: Appeared on The Price Is Right and How I Met Your Mother

In February 2010, Phil Simms appeared on The Price Is Right with Jim Nantz to present a Super Bowl XLIV showcase. Also in February 2010, he appeared with Nantz on the How I Met Your Mother episode "Rabbit or Duck".

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November 13, 2014: Appeared on Elementary

On November 13, 2014, Phil Simms appeared uncredited on the episode "Just a Regular Irregular" of the CBS television series Elementary, as a knife throwing consultant to Sherlock Holmes.

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2017: Replaced by Tony Romo as a color commentator

In 2017, Phil Simms was replaced by Tony Romo as a color commentator and joined the CBS pregame show The NFL Today.

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2023: Contract with CBS expired

At the end of the 2023 season, Phil Simms' contract with CBS expired.

2024: Weekly guest on WFAN's Boomer and Gio

In 2024, Phil Simms joined WFAN's Boomer and Gio as a weekly guest.

2024: Departure from CBS

In 2024, Phil Simms left CBS, where he had been working as an in-game color commentator for NFL games, transitioning from his previous roles at ESPN and NBC.