History of Phil Simms in Timeline

Phil Simms is a former NFL quarterback who played 14 seasons for the New York Giants. Drafted in 1979, Simms led the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XXI, earning MVP honors. He set Super Bowl records for completion percentage (88%) and passer rating (150.9) in that game, both of which still stand. Simms was selected to the Pro Bowl twice, for his performances in the 1985 and 1993 seasons.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

November 3, 1955: Phil Simms Born

On November 3, 1955, Phillip Martin Simms was born.

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1974: Graduated High School

In 1974, Phil Simms graduated from Southern High School in Louisville, where he was the quarterback of the Trojans.

1978: Morehead State in Division I-AA

In 1978, the Ohio Valley, including Morehead State where Phil Simms played, moved up to the new Division I-AA.

1979: Named to the NFL All-Rookie Team

In 1979, Phil Simms finished his rookie year with a 6-4 record, threw for 1,743 yards, 13 touchdown passes and was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team.

1979: Drafted by the New York Giants

In 1979, Phil Simms was drafted in the first round as the seventh overall pick by the New York Giants in the NFL draft.

1980: Simms Finishes the 1980 Season

Phil Simms finished the 1980 season with 15 touchdowns and 19 interceptions, while completing a subpar 48.0% of his passes for 2,321 yards.

1981: Simms Suffers Separated Shoulder

In 1981, Phil Simms threw for 2,031 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions before suffering a separated shoulder in a November 15 loss to the Washington Redskins.

1982: Simms Tears Knee Ligament

In 1982, Phil Simms suffered a torn knee ligament in a preseason game against the New York Jets, preventing him from playing the entire season.

1983: Simms Watches Game Film

During his 1983 injury, offensive coordinator Ron Erhardt talked Simms into watching more game film, something he had not regularly done in college or the pros.

1983: Simms Suffers Season-Ending Injury

During the sixth game of the Giants' 1983 Season, Phil Simms suffered a season-ending injury when the thumb on his throwing hand hit a player's helmet.

1984: Simms Emerges as a Team Offensive Leader

In 1984, Phil Simms emerged as a team offensive leader, passing for 4,044 yards, 22 touchdown passes, and leading the Giants to a playoff berth.

1985: Voted to the Pro Bowl and named Pro Bowl MVP

In 1985, Phil Simms was voted to the Pro Bowl and named Pro Bowl MVP. He also passed for 3,829 yards and 22 touchdowns, leading the Giants to 10 victories.

1986: Simms Passes for 3,487 yards

In 1986, Phil Simms passed for 3,487 yards and 21 touchdown passes during a season in which the Giants won 14 games.

January 25, 1987: Giants Win Super Bowl XXI

On January 25, 1987, Phil Simms led the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XXI against the Denver Broncos, completing 22 of 25 passes for 268 yards and earning the MVP award.

1987: Second Highest Quarterback Rating in NFC

During the strike-shortened 1987 NFL season, Phil Simms finished with the second highest quarterback rating in the NFC. He threw for 2,230 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions.

1987: Remarks on New Jersey

In 1987, Phil Simms expressed his fondness for New Jersey, stating it was just like anywhere else, contrasting with his initial perception of New York City.

1988: Giants Finish with 10-6 Record

In the 1988 season, Phil Simms passed for 3,359 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. The Giants finished with a 10-6 record but fell short of the playoffs.

1989: Giants Finish with 12-4 Record

In 1989, the Giants started 8-1 and finished 12-4, with Phil Simms passing for 3,061 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.

1990: Simms Suffers Broken Foot

In 1990, Phil Simms suffered a broken foot in the Week 15 game against the Buffalo Bills, cutting his season short.

1991: Passing yards, touchdowns and interceptions ammassed

Between the 1991 and 1992 seasons, Phil Simms amassed a combined 1,905 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions while completing 59.3% of his passes.

1992: Simms Suffers Arm Injury

In 1992, Phil Simms suffered a severe arm injury in a Week 4 loss to the Los Angeles Raiders and missed the remainder of the season.

1993: Simms Leads Giants to 11-5 Season

In 1993, Phil Simms started all 16 games and led the Giants to a resurgent 11-5 season.

1994: Considered Playing for the Cardinals

In 1994, Phil Simms considered playing for the Cardinals but ultimately decided to stay retired.

1994: Joined ESPN after Retirement

In 1994, after retiring as a player, Phil Simms first joined ESPN to start his broadcasting career.

September 4, 1995: Jersey Retired

On September 4, 1995, Phil Simms' jersey was retired in a halftime ceremony during a game versus the Dallas Cowboys.

1995: Considered Playing for the Browns

In 1995, Phil Simms considered playing for the Browns but eventually decided to stay retired.

1996: Announced Weightlifting at the Summer Olympics

In 1996, Phil Simms announced weightlifting at the Summer Olympics for NBC Sports, expanding his broadcasting experience.

1998: Moved to CBS

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

August 27, 2001: Most Underrated Quarterback

On August 27, 2001, Sports Illustrated considered Phil Simms to be the "Most Underrated Quarterback" in NFL history in their issue entitled, "The Most Overrated and Underrated".

2002: Co-hosted Miss Universe 2002

In 2002, Phil Simms co-hosted the Miss Universe pageant with Daisy Fuentes, stepping outside of football broadcasting.

2003: End of Partnership with Greg Gumbel

At the end of the 2003 season, Phil Simms's partnership with Greg Gumbel on CBS concluded.

2007: Appearance 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: Appearance on How I Met Your Mother

In February 2010, Phil Simms appeared as himself with Jim Nantz on the How I Met Your Mother episode "Rabbit or Duck".

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February 2010: Appearance on The Price Is Right

In February 2010, Phil Simms appeared on The Price Is Right with Jim Nantz to present a Super Bowl XLIV showcase.

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2011: Inducted into Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame

In 2011, Phil Simms was inducted into the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame, recognizing his football achievements.

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 consultant to Sherlock Holmes.

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2017: Giants Franchise Records Held

As of the 2017 NFL off-season, Phil Simms still held at least 13 Giants franchise records.

2017: Replaced as 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: Left CBS

Phil Simms left CBS after his contract expired at the end of the 2023 season, marking the end of his tenure there.

2024: Joined WFAN's Boomer and Gio

In 2024, Phil Simms joined WFAN's Boomer and Gio, expanding his presence in sports broadcasting.

2024: Left CBS

In 2024, Phil Simms left CBS where he was working as a career broadcaster of NFL games.

2024: Analyst for Westwood One

In 2024, Phil Simms worked on Westwood One as an analyst for select games, continuing his broadcasting career.

2024: Simms Recalls Mara's Support

In the 2024 documentary "The Duke: The Giant Life of Wellington Mara", Phil Simms recalled that Wellington Mara didn't agree with the decision to let him go and was willing to make changes to the front office to ensure Simms stayed.

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