This story burned up the internet Saturday. It caused two networks to issue statements and also force police to step in during a public event during Super Bowl Week. This incident involved two men who are currently analysts on CBS Sports and ESPN. Desmond Howard, a commentator on College GameDay, and Phil Simms, the “A” analyst for the NFL on CBS were involved in this incident. It all stems from a comment made by Howard during College GameDay which referred to Simms’ son, Matt who plays at the University of Tennessee.
During a public event at the NFL Xperience in Dallas, Howard was making an appearance and was approached by Simms. We let Howard take it from there through his Twitter account.
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At NFL-Xperience and Phil Simms just threatened 2 hit me b/c I said his son was 1 of the worse QBs in the SEC. I told him “LET’S GO!”
Desmond Howard
desmond_howard
And there’s more.
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I am DEAD serious about the Phil Simms thing. We all thought he was joking, but he kept going and said he wanted 2 take a swing at me!!Desmond Howard
desmond_howard
Desmond then explains the reason for the Simms confrontation.
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During the season we talked about the Tenn v LSU game and I said “u will see 3 of the worse QBs in the SEC” That’s what Phil did not like.Desmond Howard
desmond_howard
And it finally ended with police stepping in.
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It ended w/police stepping in between so I could continue my appearance w/fans.Desmond Howard
desmond_howard
Honestly, that is absolutely crazy. It’s one thing to defend your son which Simms has every right to do, but then to want to come to blows at a public event? That’s bat-shit crazy. Phil has got to learn to calm down over that.
Howard then issued a statement through ESPN:
I was at a public signing for a sponsor when Phil approached me to express anger over on-air analysis I made months ago about his son, Tennessee QB Matt Simms. During the conversation, Phil made a reference to hitting me and security and sponsor representatives soon stepped in. It was an unfortunate incident and I’m moving on.
And for his part, Simms released a statement through CBS:
Desmond and I were having a private conversation that became heated. But at no time was there ever a chance of any physical confrontation or that I felt the police officer assigned to me by the event planners for my appearance needed to separate the two of us.
Perhaps the two men will have a chance to hash this out down the road, but to be honest, this should not have gone this far. Insanity. Imagine if this took place last year when CBS was broadcasting the Super Bowl. I don’t think the network would have disciplined or reprimanded Simms, but perhaps warned him in case another incident took place. But as SportsbyBrooks tells us, this is not the first time that Simms has confronted a network analyst involving his son. Let’s hope that Saturday was the last time we hear of this type of incident involving Simms.
