Unser Chat » shared with his teammates are the crowning

Geroy Simon is leaving the CFL a changed man. In 1999, he joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers feeling individual success would get him back into the NFL. On Wednesday, Simon retired as the most prolific receiver in CFL history, but he says the three Grey Cup championship titles he shared with his teammates are the crowning achievements of his illustrious 15-year CFL career. "Hands down, those are the three most important times in my career and my most cherished accomplishments," Simon said. "When I first got here, winning wasnt that important to me, it was my individual success. "I think the maturity of being here and evolving as a person, as a player with a few great organizations switched my thinking to where it stopped being about my individual success as opposed to winning games and winning Grey Cups." Simon, 38, twice played for teams that won Grey Cups at home -- the 2011 B.C. Lions and last year with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. "Its an amazing feeling to win a Grey Cup at a neutral site," Simon said. "But to win at home twice, not too many people can come close to that. "I feel very privileged to have done it." Then again, being the most prolific receiver in CFL history isnt shabby, either. "No, not at all," Simon said with a chuckle. "Thats a close second." Simon shouldnt be out of football long. Hes talking with the Riders about a front-office job as a club ambassador. The six-foot, 198-pound Simon accumulated 1,029 career catches for 16,352 yards and 103 TDs with Winnipeg (1999-2000), B.C. (01-12) and Saskatchewan (2013). He was the CFLs outstanding player in 06 with 105 catches for 1,856 yards and 15 TDs, capping that campaign with his first Grey Cup title. Simon, who spent part of the 97 season on the Pittsburgh Steelers practice roster, spent two seasons with Winnipeg before signing as a free agent with B.C. It was with the Lions that Simon -- nicknamed Superman for the pose hed strike after scoring TDs -- became a CFL star. But the Lions dealt Simon to Saskatchewan on Jan. 24, 2013 for receiver Justin Harper and a 2014 third-round pick. After missing the Riders first three regular-season games due to injury, Simon finished with 40 catches for 565 yards and three TDs and surpassed Ben Cahoon (1,017) as the CFLs all-time receptions leader. Simon ended the season -- and ultimately his career -- scoring two TDs in Saskatchewans 45-23 Grey Cup win over Hamilton at Mosaic Stadium. However, that Grey Cup win was much different than Simons first two. With B.C., he was a focal point of the offence whereas with Saskatchewan he was a mentor for the youthful Riders. "I still believe I made a huge contribution (with Riders) but it wasnt stats," Simon said. "It was more in the background, in the locker-room helping mentor guys, helping them get to the right spots and get better. "You cant measure those by stats. But to have the opportunity to catch two touchdown passes and win the game in that manner, it was really special to me." Simon was prepared to return for a 16th season before noticing some subtle hints it was time to retire. "Even though I wanted to play, my preparation was quite different than any other year because I was busy doing many other things," Simon said. "Id miss a workout here and there and thered be times where instead of going my normal two hours in the gym Id go for an hour. It was just different. "Now, I wouldve been able to get to training camp and play at a high level, but I think karma has a way of working its way out. Things happen for a reason and I think I was just prepared physically and mentally to move on." Simon finalized the decision to retire about two weeks ago while visiting Rome with his wife. "We talked and I said, Maybe its just time to move on," he said. "She was more concerned than I was. "I didnt want to get to a certain point where I tarnished my legacy on the field with mediocre play or frustration at the end of my career because that would leave a sour taste in my mouth. I left a place that was so good to me for a number of years and went somewhere that was a heated rival. To win a Grey Cup in that place, I felt vindicated, like my career had come full circle and it was time." Simon admitted leaving B.C. was difficult. He and the Lions had mutually agreed to the trade to Saskatchewan after the Lions indicated Simons role would change in 2013. However, Simon said his longtime association with B.C. GM Wally Buono made his transition easier. "In the end its all about business," Simon said. "The B.C. Lions made a business decision so I had to do that for my business, the Simon business. "It was easy for me to move on because I didnt take it personally. I learned from the best in Wally. He takes all the emotion out of it, thats a learned skill. I was around him enough to know its not personal, its just business." B.C. defensive co-ordinator Mark Washington applauded his former teammate deciding to retire on top. "Very proud, very proud of him," Washington said. "A kid from Johnstown, Pa., goes to the University of Maryland and now is the all-time leading everything in the CFL when it comes to receiving. "He had an awesome career -- a storybook-type career. For him to go out as a champion, its fitting." Lions defensive back Ryan Phillips also paid tribute to Simon. "He was just a perfect professional in my opinion," Phillips said. "He taught me the ropes and helped me become a better DB. "Hes definitely a true Hall of Famer in every aspect, not just football-wise, but as a person. Its sad to see him go because of how much he brought to the game and how much he brought to the CFL. He went out in the right fashion." Simon will be eligible for selection into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2017. So will former Montreal quarterback Anthony Calvillo, who retired earlier this off-season as pro footballs all-time passing leader. It would only be fitting if the CFLs all-time leading passer and top receiver were inducted together. "Thats actually awesome, I never thought about that," Simon said. "Anthony Calvillo is a legend in this league, a great example not only for myself but also younger players in this league to aspire to be. "He was a consummate professional throughout his career. Hed be very deserving of going into the Hall of Fame and if we have that opportunity to go together, Id definitely be honoured." --- With files from CP reporter Joshua Clipperton in Vancouver. Nike Air Max 95 Outlet Online Store .C. Lions signed cornerback Dante Marsh to a contract extension on Friay and released receiver Paris Jackson. Air Max 95 Cheap Sale .com) - Rick Nash scored twice and Derek Stepan chipped in a goal with one assist as the New York Rangers claimed a 5-2 decision over Calgary at the Saddledome. http://www.airmax95outlet.com/.m. ET, CBSOPENING LINE — Packers by 3RECORD VS. SPREAD — New England 7-4, Green Bay 5-5-1SERIES RECORD — Tied 5-5. Cheap Nike Air Max 95 Outlet . After the loss, White refused to make good on the bet, instead offering Hoyt tickets to a Bears game. Air Max 95 Cheap Authentic . No, really, his head. Late in the game, the St. Louis goalie craned his neck into the air to block a shot, taking a puck square in the mask.BOSTON -- Carlos Beltran waited 16 years to make it to the World Series. He lasted a little more than an inning. Beltran was injured in Game 1 against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night when he crashed into the bullpen wall to deprive David Ortiz of a second-inning grand slam. The play turned a homer into a sacrifice fly -- saving three runs but costing the Cardinals Beltrans services for the rest of the game, and maybe longer. "Obviously, hes sore," designated hitter Allen Craig said. "But hopefully he can get back tomorrow." Beltran finished out the half-inning, rubbing his sore side, but he came out after that and was taken to a hospital for X-rays and a CT scan. The tests were all negative and Beltran will be evaluated daily, manager Mike Matheny said. A Cardinals spokesman said after the game that Beltran returned to the ballpark but would not be available for comment. "Hes a huge player for us," said starting pitcher Adam Wainwright. "Everybody knows that. We all know that." Beltran batted .296 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs in the regular season and has 12 RBIs in the playoffs this year. An eight-time All-Star, he hit .337 with 16 homers and 37 RBIs in 45 career post-season games that tied a record for a player before his first World Series appearance. Beltran struck out in his only at-bat Wednesday. The Cardinals could replace him on the roster, but he would be lost for the rest of the Series. Outfielder Adron Chambers is the likely substitute, having been left off the World Series roster when the Cardinals went with rookie infielder Kolten Wong. Game 2 is Thursday night in Boston. Beltrans catch was the rare defensive highlight on a night when the Cardinals bungled their way into an early deficit and went on to lose the Series opener 8-1. One of the best-fielding teams in the league over the regular-season, St. Louis committed three errors in all, with several other misplays that spotted Boston to a 5-0 lead after two innings. "That is not the kind off team that weve been all season," Matheny said.dddddddddddd. "Theyre frustrated, (and) Im sure embarrassed to a point. We get an opportunity to show the kind of baseball we played all season long and it didnt look anything like what we saw tonight." Shortstop Pete Kozma botched a potential inning-ending double play relay to load the bases in the first. Center fielder Shane Robinson bobbled Mike Napolis double, allowing the bases to clear. Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina, both Gold Glove winners, allowed an easy popup to fall between them at the start of Bostons two-run second. Wainwright, who waved his arms but then made no attempt to catch the ball, said the responsibility for the misplay was "with the starting pitcher." "I called it. I waited for someone else to take charge. Thats not the way to play baseball," he said. "It was totally my error." Kozma made another error on a bouncer to his right in the second inning. Asked in the clubhouse afterward what happened, the Cardinals shortstop said, "Which one?" The three errors and four unearned runs both matched season highs for St. Louis. "Thats the game in the playoffs: You give them extra outs, theyre going to score," said Kozma, who made only nine errors all season and had never made two in a game before. "Thats how the games work: one thing happens and then youre down 3-0." St. Louis added another error, by third baseman David Freese, and a wild pitch by Carlos Martinez that put a runner on third base with nobody out in the eighth inning and led to Bostons eighth run. "Its a different game if some plays are made that are typically made. Thats a whole different story," Matheny said. "(Boston) is a good club. We know that. But Im just not going to let our guys forget were a good club, too. We make plays, we also put together tough at-bats. ... Right now this is one game that got away from us, and it was in a fashion that were not used to." 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