Familiar CFL face Geroy Simon goes for his third Grey Cup, but in a new jersey

CALGARY—Saskatchewan slotback Geroy Simon has a case as one of the top receivers ever to play in the CFL. He's been a dominant receiver for a decade-plus, and he's set all-time league records for total yardage (in 2012) and total receptions (earlier this year). However, while he set that latter record in a Roughriders' jersey, that isn't the uniform that most CFL fans immediately associate him with.

Simon started his Canadian football career with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1999, but his star really took off when he signed with B.C. as a free agent in 2001. Simon had 11 great years with the Lions, winning Grey Cups in 2006 and 2011, picking up six league all-star nods and seven division all-star selections, earning the league's Most Outstanding Player award in 2006 (the only non-quarterback to do so between Milt Stegall in 2002 and fellow receiver Chad Owens' victory last season). However, the team parted ways with Simon last offseason, opting to trade him to Saskatchewan to give some of their younger receivers a chance to shine. That's worked out for him, though, as now he gets to go the Grey Cup after beating his old team along the way in the West semifinal. He said after Sunday's West Final that he's thrilled with how things have played out.

"I've got myself a good opportunity," Simon said. "The whole reason I came here was to have an opportunity to win, and now we have an opportunity to win the Grey Cup."

This season has seen Simon battle injuries and take a smaller role than he's been typically accustomed to even when healthy, and he finished the season with just 40 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns. He said he's still been incredibly happy with the season so far, though, as he views getting to the Grey Cup as more important than individual statistics.

"Numbers don't matter," Simon said. "This is justification for why I came here, for everything to this point. I knew they had the talent here, I knew that there was going to be a great opportunity to have a chance to win the Grey Cup. Now everything's coming to fruition, and we've got to play another 60 minutes and try to get it done."

Simon said a lesser role in the offence doesn't bother him, as he just wants to win.

"I don't worry about that. We're going to have an opportunity to be Grey Cup champions. I don't care about all the other stuff."

That West Final was played in chilly conditions, with temperatures of -11 degrees Celsius and below, but Simon said he didn't find it that cold.

"Personally, it was actually pretty warm out there."

Simon had a decent showing on the day despite the conditions, making two important catches for 30 yards. Maybe he was able to avoid the cold by directing his focus to the reception awaiting the Riders in Regina. He said the Saskatchewan fans have been incredibly supportive of the team.

"Those fans are amazing," Simon said. "They're some of the best I've ever been around."

Simon said he knows how much winning a Grey Cup in Regina would mean for Riders' fans, and it's just as important to him.

"It would mean everything."