By Max Campbell
Stampeders.com

As soon as the 2015 CFL schedule was released in mid-February, Jasper Simmons had July 24 circled on his calendar.

Acquired in an off-season trade with the Ottawa RedBlacks in exchange for wide receiver Maurice Price, the Missouri alum is looking forward to returning to TD Place to face his former team. The Stamps head to the Nation’s Capital this week to take on the RedBlacks with a 3-1 record atop the West division.

“It’s going to be great to go back because that’s the first team that gave me my opportunity in the CFL,” explained the weak-side linebacker. “It’s almost like going back home.”

In the midst of his fourth season north of the border, the Pensacola, Fla., product originally entered the league with the Toronto Argonauts in 2011. Playing in a total of five games for the Boatmen before his release a year later, the six-foot-one, 223-lb. defender played in 17 contests during Ottawa’s inaugural campaign. Recording 80 tackles in addition to tallying three interceptions, Simmons was nominated as the Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Defensive Player for the RedBlacks.

Now used as a reserve in Calgary’s talented and veteran-laden linebacking corps featuring the likes of Juwan Simpson and Deron Mayo, No. 31 is doing what he can to improve each and every day, regardless of his limited playing time.

“The biggest thing is being a team player,” Simmons said when asked about adjusting to his newfound role in Calgary. “Also, learning to sit back more and watch and learn from the guys that are in front of you. When I was in Ottawa, I was a starter (and) now I’m backing up and being more of a special-teams guy. So that’s what I’m learning now – to actually just be a better teammate.”

A team captain at Hutchinson Community College before finishing his collegiate career with the Tigers of the NCCA’s Southeastern Conference in 2009, Simmons has fond memories of his time as a RedBlack. Despite the franchise’s 2014 record of 2-16, he will never forget the loyal supporters who filled the stands every chance they had.

“The fans were great,” reflected Simmons. “For them to sell out all their games even with our record being the way it was, they had great fans with great energy, especially for the first year. It’s a great place to play.”

The 25-year-old is determined to have a strong outing on Friday night when going up against of his former coaches and ex-teammates. Focused on picking up a victory in what is now enemy territory, Simmons feels he has something to prove to the opposition, as well.

“It’s a must to get the win (and) go home with kind of a little chip on your shoulder,” the first-year Stampeder remarked. “It’s a place that I love, but at the same time you want to win because they traded you. My biggest thing really is (to) get the ‘W’ and be happy to see the guys that I played with last year.”