Game 21: Chester A. Arthur vs. Super Bowl XXI

Every so often a man is thrust into the spotlight unexpectedly. A few rise to the occasion and shine. Others do not -- and turn the light to darkness. This is the story of two of those men, Phil Simms and Chester A. Arthur.

The 1986 Giants had dominated the NFC but had done it mostly on the ground. Halfback Joe Morris averaged more than 100 yards a game and finished third in the NFL in rushing. At quarterback for New York, Phil Simms, in his 7th season, seemed like a journeyman. In 1986 he had a wobbly 74.6 passer rating and a workmanlike 55 percent completion percentage. Yet in the Giants first Super Bowl appearance, matched against Denver's young gunslinger John Elway, how Simms glowed. He completed 22 of 25 passes (88 percent, the best in postseason ever) for three TDs and no interceptions. His passer rating of 150.9 doubled his regular season mark. The Giants, who trailed 10-9 at halftime, came back to blast the Broncos 17-0 in the 3rd quarter and win 39-20. Simms' star was born.

Chester Arthur perhaps was not meant for such greatness. He'd been installed as vice president under James Garfield and was expected to maintain a low profile. Then in 1881 Garfield was slain by an assassin's bullet, and the cordial, mutton-chopped Arthur was pressed into duty. He was, by most accounts, adequate. He surprised critics who feared he'd be corrupt by not being as corrupt as they expected. But he never took his game to the next level.

Simms and Arthur. Some say it isn't really a fair comparison. But when all is said and done, and all the dice have been rolled, this victory most clearly belongs to the Super Bowls.

Score after this match: Presidents 12, Super Bowls 9.

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