Mitchell Blair
“I don’t know if my best game was my last game, but it was my most fulfilling.”
Geroy Simon made that statement Wednesday morning as he discussed his two touchdown performance in the 2013 Grey Cup that saw him end his season with his third Grey Cup title and the organization’s fourth.
Simon walked into the sunset as the 15 year receiver announced his retirement Wednesday afternoon. It was a 15 year career which saw the 38 year old catch a CFL record 1,029 passes, but if it wasn’t for his stubbornness, he may not have caught one.
“In 1999 when we were together in Winnipeg, it wasn’t the smoothest of starts. “General Manager Brendan Taman told the gathering that had assembled. “Geroy was a very determined player right off the bat and when I had to give him 500 dollars for being on the practice roster, it didn’t go over too well. He hung in there though and his determination and patience took over from there. He turned out to be a special player in this league, a very special player.”
While Simon is technically retiring, the man known as “Superman” wants it known he doesn’t want to call the announcement a “retirement”.
“People call it a retirement, but I don’t see it that way. I see it as a transition.” Simon said. “I’m not finished with football and I’m transitioning out of football. I still think I have something to give to this game, but it will be off-the-field that I will be doing my thing now. ”
Geroy spent the majority of his CFL career with the B.C Lions and it surprised many people that he chose to make his announcement as a member of the Riders, and not the Lions. Simon says those who know him shouldn’t be surprised at all that he is going out carrying the Riders banner.
“There was a reason why I wanted to come here,“ Simon explained. “This organization is top-notch and they do it the right way. I am not retiring as a Saskatchewan Roughrider to spite the B.C. Lions or anything else. I played my last game here and so this is where I am retiring. I am proud to be a Saskatchewan Roughrider and I will be proud to represent them in the new opportunity I am being given.”
It’s never easy to admit your time is over and Taman says it was tough to let the game’s greatest receiver know perhaps the time had come.
“Geroy is a special player and I didn’t want him going out in a role that would be what we wanted him to experience. As an organization, we knew he had another year in him, but it was important to realize it might stagnate the growth of others.” Taman said. “That’s not an easy thing to talk about, however, luckily we have these rings on our fingers because that’s what we accomplished. We could have made it work, but I don’t think it would have been fair to the staff or to Geroy himself.”
Simon admits the 2013 season was tough for him personally because he couldn’t do what he had done over his previous years, but he was able to swallow a tough pill to get the desired results.
“I didn’t like it at times, but at the same time we were winning and that’s all that matters. “Simon stated. “To have success, you have to accept the role you are given. You may not like it, but you have to accept it. It took a while, but I was prepared for when my number was called and when it was I think I took advantage of it.”
He ends his certain first ballot Hall of Fame career with 16, 352 receiving yards. He had 63 career 100 yard games, 188 straight games with a catch, 9 consecutive 1000 yard seasons, 6 all-star nominations, and a 2006 season that saw him named the league’s most outstanding player. It is a resume second to none, but when he looks at it, he admits one thing does stand out.
“The three Grey Cups is what I will remember the most, “Simon said without hesitating. “I’ve always had individual success, but I had never won a championship. To win not once, but three times and doing it with my teammates all three times is without a doubt my proudest accomplishment.
Simon will stay with the team in an off-field role working with director of player personnel Craig Smith in evaluating Canadian talent and fostering the relationship the team has with CIS schools along with being an ambassador for the organization. He says he is ready to embrace this with the same zest and passion he brought to the football field every day.
“This will give me a chance to stay in football and complete some of the things I’ve started here.” Simon said. “I started a foundation here (Geroy’s Coats for Kids) that allows us to give toques, coats and mitts on the backs, heads and hands of kids across the province and eventually kids across the country who might not be able to dress properly in the winter. I’ve been given a gift and I want to share it not only with football, but the community as well and reaching out to them. If I can help one kid, I am doing the job I am supposed to.
