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Morehead State will recognize Giants great Phil Simms with honorary stadium naming
Morehead State University will rename its football stadium after one of its most famous alums, Super Bowl-winning quarterback Phil Simms, on Oct. 18 (Homecoming Day).Simms was the first FCS player to be an NFL Draft pick in 1979.
Retired New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms has had many an honor bestowed upon him in his long career in football.
The 1979 first-round pick of the Giants has been enshrined in the team's Ring of Honor and had his No. 11 jersey retired. He was also the MVP of Super Bowl XXI and was the first player to utter the phrase, "I'm going to Disney World!"
Now comes another honor. This time from his college alma mater, Morehead State. The school is renaming its football stadium, currently named Jayne Stadium, after Simms this fall.
From MSU Athletics:
Football fans at Morehead State University will soon have a new name for the stadium. One of Morehead State University's most famous alums, Super Bowl-winning quarterback Phil Simms (Class of 2015), will have MSU's football stadium named in his honor. The official dedication ceremony will take place during Homecoming 2025.
The naming ceremony for Phil Simms Stadium will be held outside the stadium at 10:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, October 18. MSU invites the public to attend.
Simms, a Springfield, Kentucky native, came to Morehead State from Louisville Southern High School in 1975. In 1977, he was named the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year and finished his career at Morehead State with 5,545 passing years and 32 touchdowns passing. In addition to being named OVC Player of the Year, he was an All-OVC First-Team selection.
Simms has not publicly commented on the honor as of yet. Morehead State was little-known to the nation before Simms got there. He put them on the map, so to speak.
"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."
Simms is one of just eight MSU alumni to play in the NFL and just one of two to ever be drafted. The Giants also had one other MSU alum in their history, tight end Gary Shirk, who played for Big Blue from 1976-82.
