Pro path

Calgary signed Simpson as a free agent on May 21, 2008. He signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2007 and was a training camp cut prior to joining the Stampeders.

2011

Simpson appeared in 13 games and started each of those contests at middle linebacker. Despite a stretch from July 30 to Sept. 9 when he missed five of six games because of a knee injury, he finished second on the team with 55 tackles. He also had one sack, one tackle for loss, one special-teams tackle, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one pass knockdown. Simpson was named the CFL’s player of the week for the final week of the regular-season after making 10 tackles in a Nov. 5 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He also had a strong game against the BC Lions on Oct. 8 with six tackles and one pass knockdown. Simpson made eight tackles against Edmonton in the West Division semifinal.

2010

Simpson started 17 regular-season games at middle linebacker for the Stampeders — missing a contest in Regina on Oct. 17 due to injury — and filled the same role in the West Final. He led the team with a career-high 71 tackles and tied for the team lead with seven sacks. Simpson added 17 special-teams tackles, one interception and three fumble recoveries. He also added four knockdowns, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries and two tackles for loss. He posted quarterback sacks in back-to-back games on two occasions (July 10 and July 17 and Sept. 10 and Sept. 17) including a three-sack performance on Sept. 10 at Edmonton. He also posted a career high nine tackles on Sept. 25 against BC. For his efforts, Simpson was the West Division finalist for the Canadian Football League’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player award and was named a West Division and CFL all-star for the first time.

2009

Simpson dressed for five games and made three starts at defensive end for the Stampeders. He provided depth on the defensive line and at linebacker. His best performance came against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Aug. 1 as he recorded a sack and made five tackles. He forced a fumble during the Stamps Sept. 7 win over Edmonton in the annual Labour Day Classic. For the season, he made 10 defensive tackles, two tackles for loss, four special-teams tackles and one sack.

2008

Simpson made his CFL debut in conspicuous fashion by recording a sack against the BC Lions on June 26. An injury in that contest forced him to miss four games but he returned to the active roster on Aug. 2 and remained there for the rest of the season, as well as the West Final and the Grey Cup. He started the final six games of the regular season at defensive end and wound up with 21 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and a tackle for a loss. He also played on special teams and made 12 tackles.

Career highlights

• Made three defensive tackles and two special-teams tackles in the Stamps’ 2008 Grey Cup win
• Named 2010 West Division finalist for CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player
• Was named a CFL and West Division all-star in 2010
• Led the Stampeders with 71 tackles in 2010
• Recorded a career-high 10 tackles against Winnipeg on Nov. 5, 2011
• Named the CFL’s defensive player of the week for Week 19 of the 2011 season
• Made eight tackles in 2011 West Division final against Edmonton
• Made his CFL debut on June 26, 2008 against the BC Lions and recorded a sack
• First career forced fumble was also against BC, in an Aug. 22, 2008 meeting

College

Simpson was a starter at linebacker for his final 24 games with the Alabama Crimson Tide. A defensive captain his senior season, he finished the year with a career-best 86 tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception. He was voted Alabama’s most improved linebacker in both 2003 and 2005. He was an academic All-Southeastern Conference selection in 2005 and was on the all-SEC freshman team in 2003.

Notable

Since joining Calgary, Simpson has been active in the community and last season the linebacker became the Stamps’ player representative with the Timbits Football Program, an initiative that places emphasis on fun, learning and participation rather than winning or losing. Born Juwan Garth, Simpson changed his name to honour his father, who passed away in 2004. He has a degree in Criminal Justice from Alabama.