Giants Now: Phil Simms, Ron Johnson to be inducted into New Jersey Hall of Fame

Phil Simms, Ron Johnson to be inducted into New Jersey Hall of Fame

The New Jersey Hall of Fame recently announced that former Giants Phil Simms and Ron Johnson will both be inducted into the NJHOF Class of 2024 later this year, joining actress Meryl Streep, actor Paul Rudd, and numerous other notable figures in the 18-person class.

Simms played his entire 15-year career with the Giants.

He overcame a series of injuries early in his career to become the most productive quarterback in team history not named Eli Manning. Simms held the Giants career records for pass attempts (4,647), completions (2,576), yards (33,462), and touchdowns (199), and currently ranks second in franchise history in all of those categories. He was 95–64 (.597) as a regular-season starter and 6–4 in the playoffs.

Simms is best remembered for his nearly perfect performance in leading the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XXI. He completed 22 of 25 passes – including all 10 of his throws in the second half – for 268 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions in a 39–20 rout of the Denver Broncos. To no one’s surprise, he was selected the game’s Most Valuable Player.

His completion percentage (88 percent) and passer rating (150.9) against the Broncos still hold as Super Bowl records.

In his six seasons with the Giants from 1970-1975, Johnson rushed for 3,836 yards, which places him eighth on the franchise’s career list, between Ahmad Bradshaw and Hall of Famer Frank Gifford.

With 1,066 rushing attempts, he is one of seven players with more than 1,000 carries in a Giants uniform. Johnson’s 33 rushing touchdowns rank among the top 10 in franchise history, one fewer than Gifford and two less than Ottis Anderson.

Johnson was a Pro Bowler in 1970, when he became the first Giants back to rush for 1,000 yards, and 1972, when he rushed for a career-high 1,182 yards. His Giants resume also included 189 receptions for 1,813 yards and 15 touchdowns.

He recently landed at No. 72 on the Giants’ Top 100 Players.

“Ron was a great player for us during a difficult era,” Giants president John Mara said when Johnson passed away in 2018. “He was smart, tough – and was always a class act.”

The Inductees will be honored at the 16^th Annual New Jersey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

“The 2024 class of Inductees of the New Jersey Hall of Fame illustrate the New Jersey ethic of hard work, determination, and grit,” said Jon F. Hanson, Chairman of the NJHOF. “We are thrilled to celebrate the contributions of 18 new Inductees so future generations can learn about their journeys.”

Click here for the list of all 18 members of the NJHOF Class of ’24