Early Life and Rookie Season
Simms was born in Springfield, Kentucky on his grandfather's farm, a place now called Maple Hill Manor in Washington County, Kentucky where he attended St. Dominic's Elementary. While an elementary school student his family moved and Simms grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. He attended Southern High School in Louisville and was quarterback of the Southern Trojans, graduating in 1974. Simms chose to attend Morehead State University in nearby Morehead, Kentucky. The team featured a ball control offense, and Simms' numbers at Morehead State were unspectacular—in his senior season he completed 92 of 173 passes for a 53.2% completion percentage and totalled 6 touchdown passes, 11 interceptions, and 1,229 yards. The team also finished with a paltry 2–6–1 record in his senior season and failed to make a bowl game during Simms' four years. Simms finished his career at Morehead State with 409 completions in 835 attempts for a 48.9% completion percentage. He also totalled 32 touchdowns, 45 interceptions, and a school-record 5,545 yards.
Before the 1979 NFL Draft, Bill Walsh, who was the new coach of the San Francisco 49ers, flew to Morehead State with Assistant Coach Sam Wyche to work out Simms. Walsh was so impressed with him that he planned to draft Simms in the third round, actually preferring him over another young quarterback they scouted and ultimately drafted, Joe Montana. But the New York Giants decided to make Simms their first round pick to the surprise of many. As Simms acknowledged, "most people have never heard of me." When Simms's name was announced by Commissioner Pete Rozelle in front of the audience at the draft (which was held in New York), his selection was booed loudly by the Giants fans in attendance. Simms was not happy being a Giant either, "All I was thinking was which teams I would rather play for—the Green Bay Packers, the Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego, San Francisco..." Nonetheless, he became popular with his teammates who jokingly dubbed him "Prince Valiant" in his rookie training camp.
Simms won his first five starts of his rookie year. He led the team to a 6–4 record as a starter, throwing for 1,743 yards and 13 touchdown passes and was named to the NFL All Rookie Team. He was runner-up in 1979 for Rookie of the Year, losing out to future teammate, Ottis Anderson.
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