Mitchell Blair
It may not have been the season Geroy Simon envisioned, but the final chapter is exactly what he was hoping to see when he ditched his familiar Lions orange for Roughriders green.
The Lions thought the 38-year-old receiver could not be the impact player he was so Simon asked for a trade and a trade to Saskatchewan saying he felt the Riders gave him his best chance at winning a Grey Cup championship. He was very accurate in that request as he won his 3rd Grey Cup November 24 when the Riders beat Hamilton 45-23 in the 101st version of the CFL’s biggest game while being one of the star players in the victory hauling in two touchdown passes.
When he looks back at the season and why he wanted to be in Saskatchewan, he says the thought process wasn’t that difficult.
“They had a good group of young talent at the end of last year—guys like Sheets, Brackenridge and Heenan and they had a lot of established stars—guys like Dressler, Shologan and Labatte. “ Simon said. “You add that to some great coaching and the potential was there. There were a few pieces missing and those pieces were guys who knew what it takes to win a title. I thought I could help bring some experience to the table and help the guys out and help the coaches out. It wasn’t that hard of a decision to make and obviously the right decision was made. “
While on the surface it seemed the 2013 season was a frustrating one because Simon didn’t haul in the passes he normally does, Simon admits it was different, but at the end it didn’t matter because the team’s ultimate goal is what occurred.
“A lot of people say frustrating and I understand that because I didn’t have the numbers I usually have.”: Simon stated. “As a competitor, you want to put up big numbers and give it all you have and it was frustrating not being able to do that, but in the end it was rewarding because at the end of the day, its all about winning. You want to be the last team standing and that is what we were.”
While winning certainly eases the fact that Simon didn’t have the productivity he was hoping to have, he says there is absolutely no ill will and he proves that by saying he wants to be back in green next year and for as long as he stays in the CFL.
“I don’t know what the future holds, but this is where I want to be. “Simon says emphatically. “I know I wasn’t the number one or two option this year, but who knows what next year holds. All I know is I have no desire to go elsewhere and I want to stay a Rider for the rest of my career. Things change, but I don’t know. I do know though that I plan on being a Rider in 2014 and helping this team get another ring.”
As for his 3rd Grey Cup championship, Simon says it’s just as special as his two victories as a member of the Lions.
“It’s special because my decision was validated and it helps build a legacy. B.C put an expiry date on my career, but I knew I had more.” Simon explained. “I may be 38, but as you saw in the Grey Cup, these legs can still get it done when the opportunity arises. I knew I wasn’t done and I thank the Riders for realizing I wasn’t done. To come here and have my name on that Cup as a member of the Riders is a positive, winning legacy and I’m hoping we can sit here next year at this time and you can ask me about a fourth.”
