Phillip M. Simms of Franklin Lakes, N.J, will receive a Bachelor of University Studies degree and be presented with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at Morehead State University's Spring Commencement, May 9.
During the ceremony that begins at 10 a.m. in the Academic-Athletic Center, MSU President Wayne D. Andrews will confer degrees on graduate and undergraduate students from the College of Business and Public Affairs and College of Science and Technology.
A second program will begin at 2 p.m. for students in the Caudill College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and College of Education.
Simms will speak at both ceremonies and receive his bachelor's degree and be presented with an honorary degree during the 2 p.m. event.
Simms may be the best known Eagle athletic alumnus.
A four-year letterman, Simms was the Ohio Valley Conference's (OVC) Offensive Player of the Year in 1977, and finished his MSU career with 5,545 passing yards and 32 touchdowns.
After his playing days at Morehead State, he was the Giants' first selection (seventh overall) in the 1979 NFL Draft.
Simms enjoyed a 15-year NFL career and when retired held 19 team records.
As an All-Pro quarterback, he led the New York Giants to two Super Bowl titles. He completed 22 of 25 passes in Super Bowl XXI, defeating the Denver Broncos, 39-20, to give the Giants their first Super Bowl title and earning him MVP honors.
The Louisville Southern High School graduate established team marks for most passes completed and attempted for one game (40 completed, 62 attempted), season (286, 533) and career (2,576, 4,647), most career touchdown passes (199) and most 300-yard games in a career (21).
He was a Pro Bowl selection in 1985 and 1993 Pro Bowls and was the 1985 Pro Bowl MVP. He was named All-Pro in 1986.
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).
Simms joined CBS Sports in January 1998 as lead analyst for the CBS Television Network's coverage of the NFL. He also was a studio analyst and co-host for ESPN and lead NFL analyst for NBC Sports.
He and his wife, Diana, live in Franklin Lakes, N.J. They have three children, Christopher, Matthew and Deirdre.
Additional information on Spring Commencement exercises is available by calling 606-783-2008 or visit www.moreheadstate.edu/graduation .
