Geroy Simon was already considered by some to be the best receiver in the history of the Canadian Football League.

Now, the Johnstown-native can officially call himself the greatest.

Simon, in front of his family and 29,351 fans, became the CFL's all-time leader in receiving yards Friday night in the B.C. Lions first game of the 2012 season.

“I am very proud to achieve this milestone,” said Simon via the B.C. Lions team website. “My sincere thanks go out to my family and both current and former teammates who have been a big part of this record. Their unwavering support has been key to my success on the field."

Simon now has 15,192 yards for his career, passing longtime Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Wilt Stegall.

Needing only 67 yards going into the game to break Stegall's mark of 15,153 yards, Simon entered the record books in dramatic fashion. He hauled in a 56-yard pass with 10 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter as the Lions went onto win 33-16.

Simon's 18-year old son Gervon, a 2012 graduate of Greater Johnstown High School and the Trojans starting quarterback the last two years, was first on the field to greet his dad with a hug. Gervon later tweeted, "he did it!!! congrats @geroysimon!! I love you dad!"

Simon was honored on the field immediately following the record-breaking catch. Simon was a multi-sport athlete at Greater Johnstown High School before playing football at the University of Maryland. However, he was never able to catch onto an NFL roster, and earned a spot in the CFL in 1999. Thirteen years later, he's the league's all-time leading receiver.

""I'm proud of the way I played (and) the legacy I'm going to leave," said Simon to press afterwards, via The Canadian Press. "I'm proud of being from Johnstown, Pa., a place that nobody's heard of."

Thanks to Simon's actions nearly 3,000 miles away Friday night in Vancouver, B.C., thousands of people have now.