In an interview with NBC, Simms recalled a moment of frustration: “He’s just going on. And I turn to him. I said, ‘Will you shut up? I’m so sick of you.’ All you do is b**** and moan. You know what he does? He goes, ‘Everybody, Simms is mad at me.’ He did it, you know, he did it just like that. ‘Oh, he’s mad at me.’ Then he goes, ‘Do you want to hit me? Come on.’ Who would say that? And then I went, ‘Man, something’s wrong with you.’ And I just walked.”
Simms began his NFL career years after being drafted, but his trajectory shifted once Parcells—who had previously served as the Giants’ defensive coordinator—was named head coach in 1983. Simms believed that Parcells would bring positive change, though their rapport was not without friction.
Parcells had raised his voice at Simms on more than one occasion. The only time Simms truly pushed back came during a 1990 game against the Indianapolis Colts. Simms threw an incomplete pass to Rodney Hampton instead of targeting Dave Maggett as Parcells had advised. Parcells charged toward Simms, demanding him to sit down, and the exchange escalated into a televised shouting match.
Simms later described Parcells as someone who thrived on friction: “When we were playing real well as a team, [Parcells] was miserable because he needs friction. He lives on that friction. He needs adversity, and he’s got to have a spat going with a player. If there’s no adversity, he’ll create it.” Teammates reportedly appreciated Simms’s composure, and some even suggested they might like to speak to Parcells in the same manner if given the chance.
Parcells was known for a no-nonsense approach, pushing players hard in practice. He used unorthodox methods to motivate, such as dunking footballs in soapy water to prepare for rainy games, enforcing long sleeves, and forbidding tape around cleats. Simms recalled that practice could feel like “the end of the world” and that Parcells would intensify the challenge when facing underdog opponents.
Asked about his motivational style, Parcells acknowledged his blunt approach: “If you’re sensitive, you will have a hard time with me. The only players I hurt with my words are the ones who have an inflated opinion of their ability. I can’t worry about that.” He emphasized that athletes often express a desire for honesty, while also warning that honesty comes with its costs.
Despite the clashes, Parcells and Simms maintained mutual respect. Simms understood that Parcells dictated the flow as head coach, and the two men operated within a dynamic that ultimately contributed to Giants’ two Super Bowl titles.
Recently, Parcells spoke warmly about Simms, highlighting their comparable competitive spirits and strong communication. “The unique thing about my relationship with Phil was that we really, to a degree, have very similar personalities. I think we both were highly competitive, from time to time, confrontational. But communication with Phil was never a problem. I loved having him as my quarterback. He’s my favorite quarterback that I ever coached, but mostly because of his competitive nature and commitment to winning.”
The foregoing recollections underscore a chapter in Giants history defined by fierce personalities, mutual respect, and championship success.
