Latest news with #Simms
Otago Daily Times
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Unelected reps should not vote: Simms
A Dunedin mayoral hopeful says unelected representatives have no place voting in city council processes. Over the weekend, mayoral candidate Andrew Simms lodged his firm opposition to Māori wards and voting rights for unelected representatives. Following social media comments on the subject, Mr Simms told the Otago Daily Times he disagreed with any unelected representatives having voting rights during the council process, regardless of who they were representing. "From my point of view, the community choose the councillors ... to represent them," Mr Simms said. "I see the inclusion of unelected representatives at any level having a vote as being the thin end of the wedge a bit and I don't think that fits with democracy. "At that point, the community loses control of who they have to represent them." Several of the Dunedin City Council's committees or sub-committees have non-elected members. These included infrastructure services and strategy as well as planning and engagement, which each have two local rūnaka representatives with voting rights. Ms Simms said, if elected mayor in October, he would put the matter up for discussion in the council. His preference was for experts to participate in discussions, but not to have voting rights. "It's any unelected representation, it's not a Māori issue whatsoever at that point," he said. "There are numerous people that I could think of within the Dunedin community who are either mana whenua or mātāwaka [Māori from an iwi outside the area] who ... would absolutely waltz in as councillors if they put themselves forward purely on their own merits." Mr Simms said his position on Māori wards was based, in part, on an apparent lack of support for the wards from mana whenua. He said these were conscience issues and candidates on his ticket, Future Dunedin, were free to form their own opinions. Yesterday, other mayoral candidates spoke in favour of unelected representatives. Cr Mandy Mayhem said she had "no issue whatsoever" with mana whenua representatives having voting rights as it was important to have shared responsibility on decision making. Māori perspectives should be incorporated in local governance and steps like developing "culturally appropriate consultation processes" and supporting self-determination could ensure Māori participation. Fellow councillor and mayoral candidate Sophie Barker said she believed in Māori representation and input into council decision-making. "I realise people can be nervous about unelected representatives on committees. However, I think committee representation is useful to ensure we have mana whenua views." Cr Barker said people she had spoken to felt comfortable with the arrangement as committees did not have the same powers as council. "A Māori ward was raised recently by a member of mātāwaka. Some Māori, while respecting and honouring the rights of local iwi, feel that their voices are not being heard in decision making ... it's worth thinking about." Green Party nominee Mickey Treadwell said Māori had "long been under-represented in local government" and committee representation and Māori wards were an important part of addressing the inequity. "Both the DCC and the [regional council] have independent accountants on their audit and risk subcommittees, and this somehow escapes controversy." Other mayoral candidates Lee Vandervis and Jules Radich did not respond to questions.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Giants Icon Phil Simms Announced for Special Honor on Tuesday
Giants Icon Phil Simms Announced for Special Honor on Tuesday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms will be honored by his alma mater Morehead State this fall. Advertisement The university will be naming their football stadium after Simms during this year's homecoming celebration, scheduled for Saturday Oct. 18. The Kentucky native played his entire college career with the Eagles, throwing for 5,545 yards and 32 touchdowns in his four seasons with the run-heavy program. He earned Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year honors in 1977. "Phil Simms has remained loyal to MSU throughout the years," said Kelly Wells, MSU Director of Athletics. "He has given MSU his time, talent, and treasure to MSU since his days as a college athlete. "He has mentored MSU coaches and players throughout the years. Most notable, he has hosted numerous fundraising events and personally contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the football program. This recognition is most deserving and long overdue." Advertisement The Giants picked Simms in the first round of the 1979 NFL Draft and he became a legendary figure in the organization, spending the next 14 years with the franchise. Simms was an integral part of New York's first two Super Bowl victories in the 1986 and 1990 seasons. He was the Super Bowl XXI MVP in the franchise's first championship, defeating the John Elway-led Denver Broncos. He set a Super Bowl record in that game with a 22-for-25 (88%) completion percentage and threw for 268 yards and three touchdowns. The two-time Pro Bowler amassed 33,462 yards passing and 199 passing touchdowns in his career. Simms been inducted into the Giants' Ring of Honor and has his No. 11 jersey retired by the organization. He is also a member of the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame. Advertisement He was in the headlines earlier this offseason when the Giants' first-round pick Abdul Carter requested to wear No. 11 - his number in college - to which Simms politely declined. Along with his legacy in New York, Simms' career will be forever honored in Morehead, Kentucky at "Simms Stadium". Related: Giants Quarterback Teases Reality TV Show Appearance Related: Giants QB Jaxson Dart Announces Boldly That New York 'Environment Exactly Where I Want To Be' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Reuters
5 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Morehead State renaming stadium after Phil Simms
June 25 - Morehead State is renaming its stadium for alumnus Phil Simms, who quarterbacked the New York Giants to a win in Super Bowl XXI. The official dedication will take place at the stadium in Morehead, Ky., during homecoming weekend on Oct. 18. Simms played for the program from 1974-78. The Kentucky native passed for 5,545 yards and 32 touchdowns during his career and was named the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year in 1977. "Phil Simms has remained loyal to MSU throughout the years," athletic director Kelly Wells said. "He has given MSU his time, talent, and treasure to MSU since his days as a college athlete. He has visited Morehead during the summers to host summer camps for young athletes and encouraged them to consider MSU. "He has mentored MSU coaches and players throughout the years. Most notable, he has hosted numerous fundraising events and personally contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the football program. This recognition is most deserving and long overdue." The Giants drafted him with the seventh overall pick in 1979 and he remained with the team through his final NFL season in 1993. The two-time Pro Bowl selection ranks second in franchise history in passing yards (33,462) and touchdown passes (199). He was named the MVP of New York's 39-20 win against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI, completing 22 of 25 passes for 268 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Simms earned a second ring with the Giants in Super Bowl XXV when his injury replacement, Jeff Hostetler, led the team to a 20-19 win against the Buffalo Bills. Simms, who turns 70 in November, returned to campus in 2015 to receive his bachelor's degree. The university also presented him with an honorary doctorate. Following his playing career, Simms spent three decades in the broadcast booth. --Field Level Media
USA Today
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Morehead State will recognize Giants great Phil Simms with honorary stadium naming
Morehead State University will rename its football stadium after one of its most famous alums, Super Bowl-winning quarterback Phil Simms, on Oct. 18 (Homecoming Day).Simms was the first FCS player to be an NFL Draft pick in 1979. Retired New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms has had many an honor bestowed upon him in his long career in football. The 1979 first-round pick of the Giants has been enshrined in the team's Ring of Honor and had his No. 11 jersey retired. He was also the MVP of Super Bowl XXI and was the first player to utter the phrase, "I'm going to Disney World!" Now comes another honor. This time from his college alma mater, Morehead State. The school is renaming its football stadium, currently named Jayne Stadium, after Simms this fall. From MSU Athletics: Football fans at Morehead State University will soon have a new name for the stadium. One of Morehead State University's most famous alums, Super Bowl-winning quarterback Phil Simms (Class of 2015), will have MSU's football stadium named in his honor. The official dedication ceremony will take place during Homecoming 2025. The naming ceremony for Phil Simms Stadium will be held outside the stadium at 10:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, October 18. MSU invites the public to attend. Simms, a Springfield, Kentucky native, came to Morehead State from Louisville Southern High School in 1975. In 1977, he was named the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year and finished his career at Morehead State with 5,545 passing years and 32 touchdowns passing. In addition to being named OVC Player of the Year, he was an All-OVC First-Team selection. Simms has not publicly commented on the honor as of yet. Morehead State was little-known to the nation before Simms got there. He put them on the map, so to speak. "Phil Simms has remained loyal to MSU throughout the years," said Kelly Wells (Class of 1995), MSU Director of Athletics. "He has given MSU his time, talent, and treasure to MSU since his days as a college athlete. He has visited Morehead during the summers to host summer camps for young athletes and encouraged them to consider MSU. He has mentored MSU coaches and players throughout the years. Most notable, he has hosted numerous fundraising events and personally contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the football program. This recognition is most deserving and long overdue." Simms is one of just eight MSU alumni to play in the NFL and just one of two to ever be drafted. The Giants also had one other MSU alum in their history, tight end Gary Shirk, who played for Big Blue from 1976-82.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former QB Gives High Praise To Bills' Josh Allen
Former QB Gives High Praise To Bills' Josh Allen originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms has always turned heads with his quarterback takes. The latest one may shock fans across the league. And this one centers around Buffalo Bills signal-caller Josh Allen. Advertisement The reigning league MVP is coming off his best season, leading Buffalo to the AFC title game. And so ... Simms has Allen in the "Tier 1" ranking, including Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow. That wasn't the shocking part. If you look at most quarterback rankings, those are the top four that are consistently used at this point. No, the stunner here is Simms made it clear on his podcast that in his mind, the current top tier of quarterbacks compares to the greatness of signal-callers from the 1980s and 90s. "This is like [John] Elway, [Dan] Marino, [Joe] Montana, Jim Kelly in their prime," said Simms on his June 10 podcast. "I don't know if you can find four [QBs] at the same time that are playing at such a high level as the four right now." Advertisement Comparing Marino, Kelly, Montana, and Elway to the current four stars in the league is stunning. Of the original top four? The group won six Super Bowls while going to 14 of those Big Games. The current group has three titles (all from Mahomes) and multiple MVP trophies. That's fine, but ... Those trophies are no different from the success that the top four quarterbacks in the NFL enjoyed during the 2000s (Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, and Ben Roethlisberger). Allen is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL right now, no one denies that. But to rank this collection of signal-callers among the greatest in league history, one of these players outside of Mahomes has to actually win a Super Bowl. Advertisement And we bet Josh Allen agrees with that. Related: Bills' Brandon Beane Tight-Lipped On James Cook Contract Status Related: Bills' Josh Allen Reveals Biggest Life Accomplishment This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
