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A Champion is Crowned! - December 1, 2009

In a week where the city of Calary put on a flawless Grey Cup Extravaganza with excellent events, and great hospitality, every CFL fan left Calgary feeling like a Champion! I certainly enjoyed myself going throughout the city of Calgary speaking to over 5,000 kids grades 6-9 encouraging them to set life goals and dreams, then make every effort to accomplish them by preparing themselves while they're in school. My goal was to encourage them to become a champion of a successful life by reaching their goals and dreams. Another great event that I was honored to play Co-Host in was the Athletes In Action Grey Cup breakfast. We had the honor of ministering to over 800 people inviting them into the lives of our CFL Athletes from Montreal, the Riders and other CFL teams. The event was grand.

Meanwhile, there was a actual championship game going on where Montreal was crowned the 2009 CFL Champions with a dramatic 28-27 victory over the Roughriders. Somebody had to win, but it will be hard for the Riders to live that one down over the next six months because you get so many chances at being a champion! On to the off-season now and stay tuned for more blogs!!!

Attention Fans!

I just want to send out a courtesy blog to all of my fans who have the desire to change the number on your jersey from 51 to 5; you can go into the Bomber store and ask for Jeff, give him the code word Fever and he will get you all fixed up. Once again thanks for your support. Oh yeah if you have not gotten your #5 Jersey, be sure to pick you one up.

B5

From the childhood Favorite 51 to 5 - June 12, 2009

I grew up as a youngster in St.Loius, MO loving the Dallas Cowboys and football the same. Tony Dorsett was my favorite player, but Ken Norton Jr. was my favorite LB. I started playing football at the age of 6, playing the positions of Running back and Middle Linebacker. I guest you can understand why Tony D and Ken Norton Jr where my favorites as a Cowboy fan. As I grew older and went on into my high school years, I took a liking to the MLB position and Ken Norton Jr quickly move up my chart as my favorite player. I loved watching his energetic style of play that brought a lot of energy to the Cowboy's defense and the leadership skills that he displayed. I quickly patterned my game after his in the areas of bring energy and being a leader for the defenses and teams I played on. The desire to wear #51 all came from my appreciation of the way Ken Norton Jr played the game. For 8 years professionally I sported the #51 proudly, but this 2009 season I will sport the #5.

Why the change? After being injured for the first time in career that caused me miss 14 games, I had a lot of time reflect on how much fun I have playing this childhood dream of a game. I've never taken for granted the privilege given to me by God to do something I love to do for a living, but I declared to myself that I would have as much fun as possible for all of my remaining years; From that declaration, came my desire to change my number. It started as a bright idea over the off season, and then the opportunity presented itself this training camp when Coach Rick Campbell asked me to consider changing my number to have an eligible number for special teams purposes. Well let's just say I jumped at that opportunity. I didn't really think it was going to be allowed by the marketing department, but they where gamed for it.

Why #5? First of all I had to keep a number either the 5 or the 1 from 51, 5 was available and I didn't really want #1; so five it is. It fits me well because I like to play with a lot of energy and I can a hopefully be Vitamin B5 shot to my team and teammates. Second of all, since high school I always wanted to where a single digit number and I never really got around to wearing one and now is the perfect time to do it. A fresh start, a new season, a new number and a new look. Thirdly, let's just say the 5th time's a charm. I'll explain that one later. Hey, if Kobe can give up his #8 in which he won 3 championships in, then I can give up #51 that I have won 0 championships in; but it was known as my trade mark. Well for the Barrin Simpson/ B51/ B5 fans that visit barrinsimpson.com thanks for all your support and stay tuned for more updates and info from training camp and the season! Peace be with you and your house, and may you prosper and be in good health even as your soul prosper!

B5

Free Agency & Trades - February 21, 2009

The month of February for CFL fans is like being a blind dog in a meet house who haven't eaten in months. Just starving for. Some exciting news about their respective teams or better yet any news about their beloved team. Come on TSN we should at least have an Inside The CFL show. But on with the topic; the free agent period spells all kinds of moves: trades, releasings, swapping of draft picks, salary dumpings, angry players, happy players, lions, tigers, and bears oh my. Uh oh, sorry got a little carried away there. But a number of players change uniforms at this time of the year which causes a major uproar about who's going to play in Calgary for the 2009 Grey Cup Championship when this free agent frenzy dust settles.

I personally think we the Bluebombers have won in this free agent period along with the trades we made; Am I bias no way man:) The possibility of landing in Calgary looks good from where I'm sitting with the players we've added to the team we already have. With that being said, what looks good on paper must transfer to the field.

Now on too the trade that every fan in Bomberland and across Canada was patiently waiting on to happen. Barrin or Zeke, being trade to who? Well fans I'm happy to be staying in Winnipeg wearing Blue and Gold. I could have opted out, but there's some unfinished business of delivering on the expectation of ending the Grey Cup drought that we the players and coaches have built in the hearts of our bomber fans, that I couldn't just leave behind. I'm not leaving Winnipeg without winning a Grey Cup, so fans you and I are stuck with each other at least until we win a Championship. The other reason I stayed is because the coaching staff expressed their belief in my ability to be an impact player through making plays and leadership, I was sold on staying after that. I will say this, the coaching staff will be well pleased in their decision to keep me and so will you. That's all for now fans be sure to check the blog page periodically for monthly blogs.

Peace be with you and your house and may you prosper and be in good health even as your soul prosper.

-B51

The Effects of Injury - January 21, 2009

Suffering an injury for the first time in my career was more shocking for me after playing a 130 straight games than painful. It was a hugh disappointment not being available to help my team and teammates win; not to mention the 6mons of hard work in the off season to play only 4 games, but I injury is part of the game.
The fact of never being injured or missing a game, coupled with people saying that I wouldn't be healthy in 2 and a half months, was a driving force in bring out my competitive nature to accomplish that goal. Well, I did get back healthy in that exact time frame and practice with the team for the last five games of the season including the playoff game. Tearing a Pec is easily a 6-8 month period to be totally healthy enough to practice, that's why my teammates called it "The Miracle From the Lord" so I have to give God the glory because he did the healing. Before I could work hard, I had to be all healed up first.

On to 2009 though; with a major injury, at the age of 31 in worldwide sports comes the doubters, the naysayers, and those who say he's washed up, finished, or my favorite, over the hill; which drives me once again in my mad scientist lab I call training to prove them wrong. AGAIN!

I look forward to the 2009 Season and being back in that 6-time CFL ALL-STAR form, and you better believe I have a major chip on my shoulder. HAPPY NEW YEAR everybody!!!

Peace be with you and your house and may you proper and be in good help even as your soul prosper

- B51

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