Eskimos defensive end John Chick announces retirement after eight CFL seasons

Edmonton Eskimos defensive end John Chick announced his retirement Friday, ending a CFL career that lasted eight seasons.

Chick, who won the Grey Cup with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2007 and 2013, was considered one of the league’s top pass rushers. He split last season between Hamilton and Edmonton.

“It has been an absolute privilege to (play) football at all levels and an amazing honour to have been part of the CFL and its history,” Chick said in a release. “I have always given football my all as it should be given nothing less and regardless of what stage of life I’m in, I will continue to do so.

“I have reached a very blessed point in my life to where my vocation demands more of me at this time than my occupation and am very happy to answer that call.”

Chick, 35, was traded to the Eskimos last August. He recorded 14 tackles, three sacks and one safety over eight games with Edmonton.

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The six-foot-four 248-pound native of Gillette, Wy., made his CFL debut with Saskatchewan in 2007 and was named the league’s top defensive player in 2009.

He spent time with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts in 2010 and played 19 games over two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars before returning to the Roughriders in 2013. Chick signed with the Tiger-Cats as a free agent in 2016.

Over 125 career CFL games, Chick had 242 tackles, 72 sacks and one interception.

“John will go down as one of the best players to have ever played in the CFL,” said Eskimos general manager Brock Sunderland. “He gave 110 per cent effort on every play, whether it was in a game or a practice and was a player that always had to be accounted for by opposing offences.

“The Eskimos organization thanks him for his contributions to the team and we wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”

The Canadian Press