He considers himself a team man, the middle linebacker who would take on a dozen blockers if it meant someone else could make the tackle.
But now comes the toughest decision of Barrin Simpson's CFL career: Does he bench himself?
In the biggest game of the season, with his Saskatchewan Roughriders depending on his call, will Simpson play on an injured ankle or will he sit out and allow a healthy Mike McCullough to start?
The answer won't come for a day or so, until Simpson can endure a full workout. On Wednesday, he stood and watched the Riders practise outdoors at a biting cold Commonwealth Stadium. Thursday, he plans to run a little. By Sunday, he hopes to be in the lineup vying for a Grey Cup title he has never won.
That's the rub, Simpson admits. He's 33 and played 11 hard-knock years in the CFL. He's been to the Grey Cup twice and lost both times. Taking on the Montreal Alouettes this weekend could very well be his last kick at the Cup. It's not a game he wants to miss, but it's a possibility he must contemplate.
"As far as football goes, I want this more than anything. I'd trade in every win we have to win this. I'd trade them in a blink of an eye," Simpson said. "I'm 100-per-cent confident making that call [whether to play or sit] I know how it feels. It feels better than it last week at this time. I'm doing treatment every day, twice a day. I feel good."
Simpson is a keynote player in a defence that will be stretched to the limits by the Alouettes offence. He led the CFL in tackles this season, with 105, and looked very much renewed given how his 2009 season unravelled.
Supposedly, Simpson, who is also an ordained minister, was a locker-room malcontent in his final year with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Then-head coach Mike Kelly had wanted Simpson to go on the nine-game injured list; Simpson didn't agree and refused to sign the paperwork. Kelly bad-mouthed Simpson, then banned him from the team. Eventually, he returned to the starting lineup when the Bombers were hit with injuries.
At season's end, Simpson opted to sign with the Riders, who happily welcomed him aboard.
"Barrin has been a tremendous player for us," said Riders general manager Brendan Taman, who also worked for the Blue Bombers. "The guys gravitated to him because of his leadership. It was an easy transition."
The Riders speak glowingly of their veteran defender. They like his presence, his savvy, all of which will be needed against Montreal and its intuitive quarterback, Anthony Calvillo.
"I've watched him since I was in high school," teammate Cory Huclack said of Simpson. "He's a smart guy. He knows this league so well."
"You've got to stop the running game," Simpson said of the Alouettes. "You've got to make them two-dimensional. Keep [running back Avon Cobourne]in contain, then get Calvillo off his rhythm. Give him different looks, get some hits on him."
That's the plan and so is this: Simpson will push himself Thursday, take treatment, rest and hope he doesn't have to tap himself on the shoulder and say, "Sorry man, you're done."
His teammates are sure he'll do the right thing. He did, after all, take himself out of parts of last Sunday's win in the West Division final. They have faith.
Asked if he was turning to his and appealing to a higher source for guidance, Simpson smiled and replied: "You walk out [onto the field]on faith. I do my part and the Lord will do his."