w as a lucky loser, after making the semif

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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. cheap jerseys . Alec Martinez scored at 5:47 of overtime, and the Kings beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-4 on Sunday night to advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in three years. wholesale nfl jerseys . Following a lopsided 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, Paul MacLean told reporters that "theres a lack of focus, theres a lack of leadership and theres a lack of preparation" with his struggling team. That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself. http://www.cheapjerseysnflchina.us/. -- Nicolas Batum hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer and finished with 11 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in the Portland Trail Blazers 115-105 home-opening victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night. wholesale jerseys . Ranked 32nd in the world, Pospisil was due to play Frenchman Gael Monfils, but he withdrew with a wrist injury. Pospisil had the momentum going into the match against No. 52 Andujar, who got into the draw as a lucky loser, after making the semifinals last weekend in Basel. cheap jerseys from china . Justice was originally signed by the team last season when Clady was lost to a season-ending foot injury; he played in four regular season games. The 29-year-old has also spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts.ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Texas Rangers have activated Yu Darvish from the 15-day disabled list to start Sundays game against Tampa Bay and optioned right-hander Nick Martinez to Double-A Frisco. Darvish had been on the DL with neck stiffness. The right-hander made his final spring training start on March 16. Martinez pitched well in his major league debut Saturday night, allowing three runs and four hits over six innings agaiinst the Rays.dddddddddddd He was in line for a victory until Tampa Bay scored twice in the eighth off Neal Cotts en route to a 5-4 win. "Hes going to pitch for the Texas Rangers as we move forward at some point for a long time," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "Dont read anything too much into the fact hes been sent back down." Martinez will pitch either Thursday or Friday for Frisco. ' ' '