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Giants Now: Morehead State to rename football stadium after Phil Simms

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The Giants drafted Phills Simms out of Morehead State in 1979.

In 1995, he was inducted into the university's Athletic Hall of Fame.

In 2015, he returned to campus in northeast Kentucky to receive his degree in addition to an honorary doctorate in recognition of his lifetime of service to the school.

Ten years after that, the Super Bowl XXI MVP will receive perhaps the greatest honor from his alma mater.

Morehead State announced it will rename the football stadium in his honor during an official dedication ceremony this fall for Homecoming 2025.

"Phil Simms has remained loyal to MSU throughout the years," said Kelly Wells (Class of 1995), MSU Director of Athletics. "He has given MSU his time, talent, and treasure to MSU since his days as a college athlete. He has visited Morehead during the summers to host summer camps for young athletes and encouraged them to consider MSU.

"He has mentored MSU coaches and players throughout the years. Most notable, he has hosted numerous fundraising events and personally contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the football program. This recognition is most deserving and long overdue."

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A native of Springfield, Ky., Simms was named the 1977 Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year and finished his career at Morehead State with 5,545 passing yards and 32 touchdowns.

Simms, taken seventh overall, was Hall of Fame general manager George Young's first draft choice in 1979. He played his entire 15-year career with the Giants, overcoming a series of injuries early on to become the most productive quarterback in team history not named Eli Manning.

Simms held the Giants career records for pass attempts (4,647), completions (2,576), yards (33,462), and touchdowns (199). He is best remembered for his almost flawless performance in leading the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XXI. He completed 22 of 25 passes – including all 10 of his throws in the second half – for 268 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions in a 39–20 rout of the Denver Broncos. In one of the easiest votes in history, he was selected the game's Most Valuable Player.

Simms was inducted into the Morehead State Athletic Hall of Fame in October 1995 and Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. His numbers are retired by both the Giants (11) and MSU (12). In celebration of the franchise's 100th season, Simms was voted No. 11 on the Top 100 Players in Giants History.

"We are excited to welcome alumni back to campus during Homecoming 2025," said Dr. Jay Morgan, MSU President. "Homecoming is always a great reminder that the Morehead State experience lasts a lifetime, and this honorary naming in recognition of Phil Simms' lifetime commitment to his alma mater will be the premier event of the weekend."

View photos of Super Bowl XXI MVP and Ring of Honor inductee Phil Simms through the years.

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