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. Custom Tampa Bay Rays Nike Jerseys . Toronto has lost six of its last eight games but is coming off Thursdays 7-3 victory at Kansas City. Juan Francisco and Colby Rasmus both went deep for the Blue Jays, who are second in the American League with 34 home runs on the season. 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If they lose, Germany will get the last quarter-final berth.Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca. Dear Kerry, In Saturdays game between Minnesota and Dallas, an altercation erupted when Minnesotas Ryan Carter shoved Dallas Stars defenceman Trevor Daley into the Dallas netminder. During the ensuing melee, Stu Bickel is engaged with a Dallas opponent when Daley jumps in to participate in the existing fight. Daley holds Bickels arms at his side while the Dallas teammate lands a punch on Bickels face. While the Minnesota players clearly deserved to be responded to by the Dallas players on the ice due to Carters actions, I was surprised that Daleys actions did not warrant a third man in penalty. Did the officials on the ice get this one right because the Wild players were deserving of a response, or did the officials miss this one that should have been called? When would a player get a third man in penalty? Thanks, Chris Los Angeles, California, USA Chris: After Trevor Daley was aggressively shoved to the ice by Ryan Carter and a scrum quickly developed, it was apparent that Daleys initial intention was to act as a peacemaker by grabbing Stu Bickell in the crease and attempt to prevent him from attacking Jason Demers. Once the players separated however, and a full blown fight developed between Bickel (instigator and aggressor) and Demers, the subsequent bear-hug wrap of Bickel by Daley behind the net constituted a third man in situation. Going to the aid of a teammate that was being pummeled might earn Daley additional respect around his dressing room but it does not negate the application of the third man in penalty unless a match penalty was being imposed in the original altercation. Since that was not the case, Daley should have received a roughing minor and game misconduct under rule 46.16 - third man In. The bear-hug from behind pinned Bickels arms at his side rendering the Minnesota player unable to defend himself and allowed Demers to land two hard direct hits to Bickels face. The third man in rule was instituted for this very purpose, namely to prevent a two on one situation in a fight that provides a distinct advantage to one player and could result in serious injury. The rule was also initiated to prevent a gang warfare mentaality that often resulted in line brawls and bench clearings during that era of the game.dddddddddddd Rule 46.16 (third man In) is written in very general terms and states that a game misconduct, at the discretion of the Referee, shall be imposed on any player who is the first to intervene (third man in) in an altercation already in progress except when a match penalty is being imposed in the original altercation. This rule also applies to subsequent players who elect to intervene in the same or other altercations during the same stoppage of play. Despite the lack of clarity as to what level of player intervention is required for a referee to apply a third man in penalty, it is incumbent upon the referees to understand the spirit and intent of this rule as I described above in order to apply their discretion properly. This particular situation, like other infractions that occur on a less frequent basis, require that the referees be updated and coached by the Officiating Department on an ongoing basis so the officials have a clear understanding of when to impose the proper penalty. The application of the 3rd man in and instigator rules have been watered down and even lost to some degree in recent years for a variety of reasons. Attrition of the officiating staff has brought in younger and inexperienced referees and fighting incidents are becoming less frequent within the game. Many referees demonstrate a reluctance to impose these penalties. Perhaps it is a lack of clear understanding as to what is expected or even a fear that their penalty will subsequently be rescinded by Hockey Operations should the team lodge a formal protest, as is often the case. This altercation quickly progressed from a roughing minor penalty that was being assessed to Carter for needlessly knocking Daley to the ice after the play was dead, to a scrum and then two separate fights taking place simultaneously. Trevor Daleys initial intervention could be overlooked as a peacekeeping mission. Once the players moved from the crease area and punches were being exchanged between Bickel and Demers however, the bear-hug by Daley provided a distinct advantage to his teammate and could only be construed as a third man in situation. Trevor Daley was not assessed a penalty of any sort for his actions during this altercation. ' ' '