Simmons joins Bombers at practice, eager to contribute

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This article was published 23/08/2015 (3887 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Jasper Simmons expects to play in Winnipeg, that much is true.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers latest addition at the linebacker position categorized his sensational departure from the Calgary Stampeders as a business decision on Sunday afternoon.

Simmons was released from the West Divison’s top team following a Twitter tirade from his agent, Sammy Gahagan, where he called his former client’s team “the worst organization” in the Canadian Football League and said his client was being “held hostage” by the club.

Simmons didn’t back down from questions regarding his exit from Cowtown, saying that at the end of the day he’s in the CFL to play football, he expects that, and he had no regrets about how the situation last week unfolded.

“Not at all. Not at all,” Simmons said. “Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. At the end of the day, everybody has to realize that it’s a business and I take it as my decision. I made it, I don’t regret it and I’m glad to be in Winnipeg.”

Simmons said, in his fourth season as a CFL pro, he’s never been in the situation where he’s had to force his way off a roster. Simmons said only he and John Hufnagel, the Stampeders field general, know the truth about what happened.

“Regardless what he says in front of the press, he knows the truth and I know the truth,” Simmons said. “I asked to be released weeks before this even happened. The real thing that happened was he didn’t want to release me. I gave Calgary weeks and months, at the end of the day, for me to play.”

Simmons wouldn’t go as far as reassuring fans they wouldn’t see the same thing happen here as in Calgary, referring back to the business decision.

Simmons did, however, defend his character.

“I’m the same guy on and off the field… I am a team player,” Simmons said. “I just want a fresh start. I’m glad to be here. I want to contribute now.”

As for this week against his former club, Simmons said he can’t expect to play this week. Mike O’Shea said it will be tough for him to get in the lineup. And his agent told the Free Press last week that his client would be on the field this Saturday.

It should make for an interesting week in the ‘Peg.

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca

Scott Billeck
Reporter

Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the Free Press. A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade’s worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024.  Read more about Scott.

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