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The Football Diner Big Interview:
Phil Simms
interviewed by Michael E Lawrence
24/10/2009
 Phil Simms is a legend on two different planes of the National Football League. As a player, his MVP performance against John Elway’s Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI was the high water mark of a fourteen-year career that included 33,462 passing yards, a couple of Pro Bowls and two NFL championships.
As a broadcaster, Phil partners Jim Nantz as one half of CBS’s lead NFL announce team and is one of the most popular analysts in the sports world today. With CBS in London to cover this Sunday’s International Series showdown between the Patriots and Bucaneers, the Diner pounced on the opportunity to pick the former Giant’s brains and take a trip down Super Bowl-memory lane.
FD
First of all Phil we want to ask you about the London series – are you excited about it?
Phil Simms
 Yes I am. I think anytime you kind of change the environment and the routine of what you’re doing there’s a little excitement there. At first I have to admit I was like everybody else and thought: Oh my gosh, in the middle of a season? It’s hard enough covering games in the US and now we’ve got to go to London to broadcast from there? But once you get here it’s totally different it’s pretty cool being here, and the stadium I think everybody’s a fan of Wembley so that’s pretty great too.
FD
The Patriots in particular are built on a culture of routine and rhythm when you’ve talked to them during the week, do you get the sense this trip has been a disruption?
Phil Simms
You know I’ve been asked that by a lot of people here, and many of them wonder if this is almost an exhibition game for these teams, but of course it’s very real. But the Patriots do like routine, and they’re not gonna change it a lot: they’re gonna get done what they have to get done. That’s the way NFL teams are extremely meticulous in their preparation because it’s a complicated game. You just know they’re not gonna break that habit just because this game is over here this week.
FD
As someone who now works as part of the media, do you have any tips on getting to the ‘real’ Patriots behind their well-rehearsed ‘one-week-at-a-time’, ‘take-nothing-for-granted’ persona?
Phil Simms
 Yeah, my tips are: good luck! But you know I’ve become an expert at reading between the lines, that’s what I do. Equally I’ve known Bill Belichick since 1979, so that helps.
FD
Let’s talk about that period when you and Belichick were both part of a Giants organisation that won Super Bowls after the 1986 and 1990 seasons. Does it seem like only yesterday that you were being named MVP of Super Bowl XXI or guiding the Super Bowl XXV-winning team to the playoffs?
Phil Simms
Oh, jeez, you know I don’t even think about it. It seems like a different life and somebody else that did it! I look at the game now – and I love following the league and watching the players – and it’s hard for me to believe I did it. Because I’m older now I go: Gosh did I ever really achieve that?
FD
Think you could still get out there and show them a thing or two?
Phil Simms
No way! If I could still do it I’d be out there. Playing is a thrill and all that but it truly is like another life. I just enjoy the life I do now. Now, I have all the answers – in theory – so it’s very enjoyable!
FD
You clearly wouldn’t have it any other way
Phil Simms
 Oh yeah – I love what I do and it’s fun to follow teams like this who without wanting to sound clichd truly pay the price. It’s very neat to watch.
FD
Presumably you’ve got a bit more time on your hands than the players, so will you get to do a spot of sightseeing around London while you’re here?
Phil Simms
Not really… You know people always say to me: Do you fly in on game day to call the games? and I tell them: There’s a little more work to it than that! We’ll be pretty busy for the next few days maybe I’ll go out to dinner on Saturday night or do something that I normally wouldn’t do, but otherwise it’s pretty much a work week for us too.
FD
Well we hope you get at least a little bit of time for some London style R&R; Phil. It’s been a pleasure speaking to you, enjoy the game.
Phil Simms
Hey thank you, I will. Nice to see you guys too.
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