VANCOUVER -- The B. Gregory Soto Jersey .C. Lions made a tough decision to part ways with Geroy Simon prior to last season. When the 38-year-old retired earlier this month, it was an easy call to honour the CFLs all-time leading receiver as soon as possible. The Lions announced before Fridays 37-13 pre-season victory over the Calgary Stampeders that Simon will have his No. 81 added to B.C. Place Stadiums Ring of Honour this summer. "Its something thats very special and I appreciate it," said Simon. "This was home for a long time and its a place where I feel real comfortable so Im really happy and really honoured for the recognition." But while Simon is more than deserving, the speed at which it has come about is a bit of a surprise. B.C. traded Simon to the Saskatchewan Roughriders when it was decided his role would change with the Lions for the 2013 season. He went on to have modest numbers during the regular season with the Riders, but scored two touchdowns in the clubs Grey Cup victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Simon had indicated that he wanted to play one more season with either the Lions or Riders in 2014, but wasnt able to agree to terms with either club. "That was the plan but it just didnt work out," said Simon, who won the Grey Cup with the Lions in 2006 and 2011. "I wanted to play but I also didnt want to play anywhere else other than B.C. or Saskatchewan. I made that quite clear. When the decision was made that I wasnt going to come here I just said Im going to retire and move on." The Johnstown, Pa., native added that he doesnt hold any animosity towards the Lions for what transpired the last two off-seasons. "I think that takes more effort to be mad and hold a grudge," said Simon. "I move on. Im looking forward to my next career and Im happy with my decision and whatever else happens." Lions general manager and vice-president of football operations Wally Buono -- who made the call not to bring Simon back as a player -- said honouring him was "a no brainer." "I want to thank Geroy for making this happen because he could have been difficult to deal with," said Buono. "He was, as he always is, a great pro, a great human being." Now working as a scout for Saskatchewan, Simon was taken aback that his former club would reach out so quickly and honour him on July 25 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, coincidentally the team that gave him his start in the CFL. "It was totally unexpected. I didnt expect it," he said. "I was shocked but happy and pleased with the organization." On the field Friday, Lions quarterback Kevin Glenn finished 17 of 21 for 173 yards and a touchdown as he continues to look like the favourite to start the clubs opener on June 28 against the Edmonton Eskimos. No. 1 quarterback Travis Lulay did not take a snap in the pre-season as he continues to recover from off-season shoulder surgery. Stefan Logan returned a punt 93 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter as B.C. jumped out to an 18-0 lead after just 15 minutes, but Calgary quarterback Drew Tate led his team back in the second quarter to trail 21-13 at the break Lions rookie defensive back T.J. Lee had two interceptions -- including one that he returned 15 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter to put the game out of reach at 31-13 -- while linebacker Solomon Elimimian added two interceptions of his own. In a battle to make the team, Lee made quite an impression in his final audition. "I just appreciate the opportunity of playing this game," said Lee, who could have had four interceptions on the night. "Im grateful." Lions head coach Mike Benevides, whose team will host this years Grey Cup game, definitely took notice. "I know theres going to be tough decisions," he said. "The process today was really good for us. Fast, aggressive defence." Tate -- who threw a TD -- and fellow Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell were both picked off twice, while reigning CFL most outstanding player Jon Cornish rushed for 33 yards on five carries early on before spending the rest of the night as a spectator. Prior to the game, Buono said there was nothing awkward when the Lions approached Simon about honouring his number, even though they dealt him prior to last season and declined to bring him back in 2014. "Its business. Nothing was done on a personal level. When you ask me who one of my all-time favourite players is, Im going to say Geroy," said Buono. "He was a tremendous warrior for us, a tremendous ambassador in the community. "It was tough last year. It was tough to cross that bridge that we had to separate with Geroy. It was tough to know that we were going to line up without Geroy." Simon had 1,029 career catches for 16,352 yards and 103 touchdowns with Winnipeg (1999-2000), B.C. (2001-2012) and Saskatchewan (2013). He was the CFLs most outstanding player in 2006 with 105 catches for 1,856 yards and 15 touchdowns, capping that campaign with his first of three Grey Cup titles. Buono, who coached Simon with B.C. during his prime, said he never changed who he was on or off the field. "He responded well to the challenges. The thing about players is you want them to be able to withstand the expectation and the pressure," he said. "When youre the No. 1 receiver year in and year out, theres a tremendous price to pay because everybodys on you, everybodys after you, defences are made to stop you but Geroy overcame all that. "He was always a guy that worked hard, was very humble, was great in the locker-room and was a superstar in the community." Simon said he now wants to build his front-office resume in hopes of one day running a CFL team. "In 10 years I see myself as being a GM or an president of an organization," he said. "I want to be running the show somewhere. "Im not done (winning Grey Cups). Im going to win a few more." Notes: Fridays attendance at B.C. Place was 26,445. ... The Stampeders open the regular season June 28 at home against the Montreal Alouettes. ... Tate finished 6 of 12 passing for 86 yards, while Mitchell completed 10 of 20 passes for 100 yards. Frank Tanana Jersey . Darren Collison and Blake Griffin scored 23 points apiece and the Clippers beat the Suns 112-108 Wednesday night, their fourth win in a row and 17th in the last 19 games. Detroit Tigers Shirts . The 23-year-old restricted free agent appeared in all 48 games last season, finishing second among all Sabres skaters with 15 goals and 34 points. https://www.cheaptigers.com/1059z-victor-martinez-jersey-tigers.html . In a series of tweets, it is explained by the Department of Player Safety that Niederreiter makes full body contact with Burrows and although there is head contact, he does not "pick" the head in the course of making the hit.OKLAHOMA CITY -- Thunder fans who braved ice, snow and single-digit temperatures got a special treat -- a look at the old Russell Westbrook. The three-time All-Star scored 26 points to lead Oklahoma City past the Charlotte Bobcats 116-99 Sunday night. He was 10 of 12 from the floor in 25 minutes in his fifth game since returning from right knee surgery. He has steadily improved and is looking more like the player he was before he missed 27 games. "He was aggressive all night, playing downhill on the pick and rolls," said Thunder forward Kevin Durant, who finished with 28 points. "He was just great tonight. That was good to see." Westbrook said he needed time to get comfortable again. "The more I play, the more rhythm Im able to catch and the more rhythm Im able to get," he said. Reggie Jackson scored 17 points and Serge Ibaka had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Thunder, who won their second straight after losing their first three games following the All-Star break. Oklahoma City outrebounded the Bobcats 44-29. Durant made just 8 of 24 field goals, but sank all 12 of his free throws. He also had six rebounds and five assists. "I get a lot of shots, man," Durant said. "Theres going to be nights when I feel like that. Its a part of the game, and I think thats the beauty of the game -- just trying to fight through the obstacles, do what I can to help my team." Al Jefferson scored 25 points and Anthony Tolliver added 17 for the Bobcats, who had won four straight before losses to San Antonio and Oklahoma City. The Thunder made 13 of 24 shots in the fourth quarter to outscore the Bobcats 31-18. Charlotte coach Steve Clifford said his team had the wrong mindset to close the game. "I think through three quarters we did a good job, but we came out in the fourth, and again, particularly when they brought their starters back, we just couldnt contain the ball and couldnt keep the ball out of the paint, which has been something weve been good at all year," he said. Westbrook scored 17 points on 7-for-7 shooting in the first half to help the Thunder take a 61-55 lead at the break. "He set the tone tthe first half," Clifford said. Brandon Dixon Jersey. "He always plays with high energy, and if hes going to make all the shots, then theyre going to be hard to beat." Jefferson had 15 points on 7-for-9 shooting. The Bobcats shot 54 per cent in the first half, but were outrebounded 20-13. The Bobcats started off hot in the second half. A 3-point play by Gerald Henderson trimmed Oklahoma Citys lead to 61-60. The Thunder responded with a 6-0 run, including two putback baskets by Steven Adams, to take a 67-60 lead. Westbrook showed some of his explosiveness after a steal. He drove down court, then extended his right arm and elevated for a powerful one-handed throwdown to give the Thunder a 77-67 lead. "Tonight, he was phenomenal," Durant said. "He was great. That dunk capped it off." The Bobcats hung tough and trailed just 85-81 at the end of the third quarter. Charlotte cut the deficit to 86-84 early in the fourth quarter, but the Thunder responded with an 8-2 run. A perfectly executed pick-and-roll ended with Durant scoring on a pass from Westbrook, and Ibaka scored on the next possession to give the Thunder a 104-92 lead and put the game out of reach. Westbrook, who also had five assists, dominated from the start. "I thought Russell really had a great command of the game," Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said. "I think it is good to see him continue to get his game legs under him. I give the staff a lot of credit. They have put him in a position to get better day by day." NOTES: Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti announced before the game that Thunder guard Thabo Sefolosha would miss four to six weeks with a left calf strain. Sefolosha left Fridays game against Memphis in the first half and didnt return. ... Several Oklahoma City players, including Durant and Westbrook, travelled to Stillwater, Okla., Saturday night to watch Oklahoma State upset No. 5 Kansas. ... Presti said new acquisition Caron Butler will be with the team Monday after the Thunder signed him Saturday. ... Durant was called for a technical foul in the first quarter after being whistled for a carry and disagreeing with the call. ' ' '