What is Phil Simms’ Net Worth and Salary?
Phil Simms, a retired American football quarterback, has a net worth of $16 million. He played in the NFL for 15 years with the New York Giants and helped the team win Super Bowl XXI in 1987 with the highest completion percentage in Super Bowl history.
After retiring from the NFL, Simms became a television sportscaster for ESPN, NBC, and CBS, enjoying a successful career in broadcasting.
Early Life and Education
Phil Simms was born on November 3, 1955 in Springfield, Kentucky. He attended St. Dominic’s Elementary before moving to Louisville, where he went to St. Rita Catholic School. Simms played as the quarterback for the Trojans football team while attending Southern High School, from which he graduated in 1974.
College Career
Simms attended Morehead State University, a Division II school, where he had an unremarkable career with the football team. He finished his senior year with a 53.2% completion percentage, and the team never made it to the postseason during his four years. Simms left Morehead State with 32 touchdowns, 45 interceptions, and a 48.9% completion percentage.
Simms’ NFL Career: A Rollercoaster Ride
In the 1979 NFL Draft, Simms was chosen by the New York Giants despite controversy due to his lack of attention during his collegiate career. However, he quickly proved his aptitude, winning his first five starts and being named to the NFL All-Rookie Team. Unfortunately, his subsequent four seasons were plagued by injuries and erratic performances on the field.
Simms finally got over his injuries and inconsistent playing in 1984, improving his performance with 22 touchdown passes and leading the Giants to the playoffs. He was voted to the Pro Bowl, where he was named the MVP. He had an even better year in 1985 when he led the Giants to ten victories, the most for a Giants team in over 20 years.
Despite his ups and downs, Simms’ determination and resilience shone through, and he remains a respected figure in the NFL community.
Phil Simms Leads Giants to Super Bowl Victory
In 1986, Phil Simms had his best season with the Giants, passing for 3,487 yards and 21 touchdown passes. He led the team to 14 victories and faced off against the Denver Broncos at Super Bowl XXI. Simms delivered one of the greatest performances in the tournament’s history, completing 22 of 25 passes for 268 yards. He set Super Bowl records for accuracy, passer rating, and completions. Giants coach Bill Parcells called it the “best game a quarterback has ever played.” The Giants won the Super Bowl title 39-20, and Simms was named the tournament’s MVP.
Phil Simms’ Career Highlights
After an incredible 1986 season, Simms had solid years in 1987 and 1988, leading the Giants to 10-6 and 12-4 regular season records, respectively. In 1990, Simms led the NFC in quarterback rating, but his season was cut short due to a broken foot. The Giants went on to win Super Bowl XXV with Jeff Hostetler as quarterback. Simms returned as starter in 1992 but suffered an arm injury four games into the season. He bounced back in 1993, leading the Giants to an 11-5 season before being released by the team and subsequently retiring.
Simms’ Career as a Sports Analyst
After retiring from the NFL, Simms became a sports analyst for ESPN before moving to NBC as a color commentator for Super Bowls XXX and XXXII. He also covered weightlifting events at the 1996 Summer Olympics and did sideline reporting for NBA games on NBC Sports. In 1998, Simms joined CBS where he worked with various broadcasters including Greg Gumbel, Jim Nantz, Lesley Visser, Armen Keteyian, Bonnie Bernstein, Cris Collinsworth, and James Brown. Simms also provided commentary for the NFL Network.
Simms’ Other Media Appearances
Phil Simms has made numerous media appearances throughout his career. He appeared as himself on the daytime soap opera “As the World Turns” and the sitcom “How I Met Your Mother” on CBS. Simms also had an uncredited cameo in a 2014 episode of the procedural drama series “Elementary.” He served as part of the commentary team alongside Jim Nantz in multiple “Madden NFL” video games.
Phil Simms’ Family and Residence
Phil Simms and his wife Diana have three children: Chris, Deirdre, and Matthew. Both Chris and Matthew have played in the NFL. The family resides in the borough of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey with their parents.
