Bucs/NFL

QB a dad on Father's Day

By RICK STROUD, JOANNE KORTH, and STEPHEN F. HOLDER
Published June 21, 2006

TAMPA - Father's Day took on a new meaning for Chris Simms.

The Bucs quarterback became a first-time dad June 19 when his wife, Danielle, gave birth to a 7-pound, 10-ounce girl the couple named Sienna Rose.

"She was born on Father's Day, of course, so that was awesome. It was a great Father's Day gift," Simms said Tuesday. "I got to name her because it was Father's Day. So I got naming rights. Her name is Sienna. Sienna Simms. We just both thought it sounded good. My wife is Italian, so that went with it. It was either going to be Sienna or Charlotte. I didn't like Charlotte just because (the) Carolina (Panthers are) in Charlotte. That might be jinxing myself."

Simms said Danielle knew early on Father's Day she was going to deliver. They arrived at the hospital around 2 p.m., and Sienna Rose was born at 6:22 p.m. Danielle picked the middle name because the rose is the flower for June.

"Because my wife did it all natural, she didn't use any painkillers or anything, and my dad (former Giants quarterback Phil Simms) said, "At least there's one tough person in the family,' " Simms said.

"The one thing I'm sure she'll inherit is my wife's shopping ability. That's the one thing I worry about."

Newly signed guard Toniu Fonoti failed to report to Tuesday's opening practice because a family emergency required his attention back home in California, according to his agent.

There was some initial confusion because the Bucs weren't immediately made aware of the matter, prompting coach Jon Gruden after the morning practice to indicate to reporters that Fonoti was absent without permission. But by Tuesday evening, Fonoti was said to be on a plane to Tampa, and he is expected to be at today's workout. Fonoti, injured most of 2005 playing at nearly 400 pounds with the Vikings, attended most of the offseason's voluntary workouts. He has lost about 20 pounds and said he looked forward to returning to the level of play that made him a Sports Illustrated first-team All-Pro in 2004 with the Chargers.

The only other player missing, second-year defensive tackle Anthony Bryant, was excused because of an illness in the family, Gruden said.

The Bucs practiced for two hours in the morning, but the afternoon session was cut short by lightning. Today's practice at Raymond James Stadium is closed to the public.

[Last modified June 21, 2006, 02:04:11]