Former Morehead State all-star quarterback Phil Simms is one of 94 athletes on the list of modern-era 2017 nominees to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The list of nominees consists of 45 offensive players, 32 defensive players, six special teams players, and 11 coaches. The modern-era nominees will be trimmed to 25 semifinalists in November and, from there, to 15 finalists in January.
Eighteen finalists will be presented to the full 48-member Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee during its annual selection meeting on the eve of Super Bowl LI. The finalists will consist of 15 Modern-Era finalists, the recently named Senior Finalist, Kenny Easley, and the 2017 Contributor Finalists, Jerry Jones and Paul Tagliabue.
Morehead State is also currently selling limited-edition Phil Simms bobbleheads. Anyone who buys a full-price football season ticket for $65 will receive one complimentary bobblehead. They can also be purchased at MSUEagles.com/Simms for only $35.
Simms spent 15 years in the National Football League, and when he retired from the New York Giants, he held 19 team records. As an All-Pro quarterback, he led the Giants to two Super Bowl victories. In Super Bowl XXI, he completed 22-of-25 passes to defeat the Denver Broncos, 39-20. The victory gave the Giants their first Super Bowl title, and Simms earned Most Valuable Player honors. He also led the Giants to their second Super Bowl title in 1990 against the Buffalo Bills with a score of 20-19.
During his career, all with the Giants, Simms passed for more than 33,000 yards and recorded 199 touchdowns. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1985 and 1993.
Simms was named the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year in 1977 and finished his career at Morehead State with 5,545 passing years and 32 touchdowns. He came to Morehead State from Louisville Southern High School in 1974. In addition to being named OVC Player of the Year, he was an All-OVC First-Team selection. He was then drafted seventh overall in the 1979 NFL draft by the Giants.
The Selection Committee will meet on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017 in Houston, Texas to elect the Class of 2017. While there is no set number for any class of enshrinees, the selection process by-laws provide that between four and eight new members will be selected.
