Phil Simms
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Phil 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.
Simms grew up in Louisville and started his NFL career when drafted out of Morehead State University in the first round of the 1979 NFL Draft, by the New York Giants. In an era of free agency, Simms is one of the few great players to remain on the same team for his entire career.
Many consider Simms' performance in Super Bowl XXI, when the Giants met the favored Denver Broncos, to be the best ever played by a quarterback. Although the Giants had a legendary defense their offense was matched by John Elway and the Broncos. Despite that, Simms went 22 for 25 for 268 yards, setting a Super Bowl record for accuracy. In the process he also threw for two touchdowns.
Two of the most famous plays from the game were the flea flicker to Phil McConkey, and the deflected pass that Mark Bavaro, Giants' tight end, caught in the end zone for a touchdown. The Giants defeated the Broncos 39-20, and Simms was named MVP. He is credited for being the first to use the phrase "I'm going to Disneyland!" following a championship victory. The advertising campaign was discontinued in 2005.
Simms was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1985 and 1993. In 1985 he earned the honor of Pro Bowl MVP; in 1993 he led the NFC in passing efficiency. Phil Simms was part of two Super Bowl championship teams. Although sidelined by injury, he was part of the victorious 1990 Giants Super Bowl team. He owns virtually all major New York Giants passing records.
After retiring as a player in 1995, Simms joined 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. 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.