The Simms Family Debate Over No. 11 Jersey
Chris Simms had already given a heads-up to the NBC and Pro Football Talk social teams about a possible story brewing.
After a conversation with his father, he was anticipating that his father might allow Abdul Carter to wear his iconic retired No. 11 jersey.
This expectation led to a phone call with his sister, Deirdre, during which he expressed support for their father’s decision. However, her response was far from positive.
Deirdre reacted with surprise and disagreement, stating, “I thought you were going to be on my side, how dare you. Forget it, I don’t want to talk to you,” Chris recalled on “PFT Live with Mike Florio.” It became clear to him that his mother and sister had a stronger influence, having more votes than him and his brother, Matt.
Although Phil Simms sought assistance from his son in swaying the women’s opinion, the family dynamics ultimately led to the decision that No. 11 would remain retired at MetLife Stadium. With setbacks from both Lawrence Taylor and the Simms family, Carter continues his pursuit of securing a jersey number for his rookie season.
The Emotional Stakes
Chris noted the strong emotional reaction from his mother and sister, indicating that their sentiment had reached a point where tears were shed. “I’m not trying to embarrass my mom or my sister, but that’s how important it was to them,” he explained.
The saga began when Phil mentioned on FanDuel TV that he might allow Carter to wear No. 11, which he had donned at Penn State. Chris advised his father to consult Taylor first to prevent potential backlash.
However, the insistence from Phil’s wife and daughter firmly resisted this idea. “Your mom and your sister are just killing me,” Phil texted Chris, illustrating the pressures he was facing.
Despite Chris’s uncertainty about his brother’s stance, he speculated that Matt would likely side with their mother and sister. Even if Matt supported Chris, those votes wouldn’t outweigh the majority opinion within the family.
Ultimately, Chris learned of the decision to keep No. 11 retired through a tweet. He recognized the consequences of opposing their family’s wishes, especially from his fiercely loyal sister.
Looking Forward
While Abdul Carter won’t be wearing the No. 11 jersey, Chris affirmed their family’s support for him. “We’re rooting for Abdul Carter, the Simms family, that’s for sure. He can still be an honorary member of the Simms family or the No. 11 club if he wants to be,” Chris expressed.
