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| Chris Simms | |
|---|---|
| Name | Chris Simms |
| Birth date | March 5, 1980 |
| Birth place | Franklin, Tennessee, United States |
| Occupation | Former professional American football quarterback, broadcaster, author |
| Alma mater | University of Texas at Austin |
| Years active | 2003–2011 (player); 2012–present (media) |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in |
| Weight | 225 lb |
Chris Simms Christopher Mason Simms (born March 5, 1980) is an American former professional football quarterback and current sports broadcaster and analyst. He played college football at University of Texas at Austin and spent eight seasons in the National Football League with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos, and Tennessee Titans. After retiring, he transitioned to media roles with major outlets including ESPN and NBC Sports.
Born in Franklin, Tennessee, he is the son of former Dallas Cowboys and Texas quarterback Phil Simms, who played for the New York Giants. He attended Brentwood Academy before enrolling at the University of Texas at Austin. At Texas he pursued both athletic and academic commitments, joining a program led by head coach Mack Brown and competing in the Big 12 Conference.
At University of Texas at Austin, he competed for the starting quarterback role under head coach Mack Brown, joining a roster that featured teammates who later played in the National Football League, including Vince Young and Cedric Benson. He contributed in multiple seasons for the Longhorns and participated in bowl games such as the Rose Bowl preparations and Holiday Bowl-era matchups. His collegiate performance drew attention from NFL scouts and culminated in his declaration for the NFL Draft.
He was selected in the 2003 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and spent several seasons backing up veteran quarterbacks such as Brad Johnson. He later joined the Denver Broncos roster, competing in systems influenced by coaches like Mike Shanahan, and signed with the Tennessee Titans, appearing in regular-season and playoff games. His NFL tenure included starts, depth-chart competition, injuries, and transactions involving general managers and personnel from organizations such as the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals through league-wide roster moves. Notable opponents included franchises like the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Indianapolis Colts.
Following his playing career he moved into sports media, working for outlets including ESPN, where he appeared on studio shows alongside personalities from SportsCenter and NFL Live, and contributed analysis for coverage of the NFL and college football. He later joined platforms such as NBC Sports and made appearances on regional networks covering AFC teams, appearing with commentators affiliated with Sunday Night Football and college broadcasts like Longhorn Network. He has authored pieces and provided commentary during events including the Super Bowl season and College Football Playoff cycles, collaborating with analysts who worked on programs tied to Fox Sports and CBS Sports.
He resides in Tennessee and has familial ties to professional football through his father, Phil Simms, a Super Bowl-winning quarterback with the New York Giants and a longtime television commentator for networks such as CBS Sports. His family connections extend into communities around Franklin, Tennessee and the Austin, Texas area, where he spent significant time during his playing and collegiate careers.
His career is noted for the transition from player to prominent media analyst, following a path similar to former players turned broadcasters like Troy Aikman, Kurt Warner, and Tony Romo. He is recognized within Longhorn alumni circles and NFL alumni networks, and has been invited to speak at events associated with organizations such as the Pro Football Hall of Fame and alumni functions for University of Texas at Austin. He remains a visible voice in discussions about quarterback play, player safety, and media coverage of professional and college football.
Category:1980 births Category:Living people Category:American football quarterbacks Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players Category:Denver Broncos players Category:Tennessee Titans players Category:University of Texas at Austin alumni