Veteran kicker Rene Paredes announces retirement after 2026 season
The 41-year-old, a two-time Grey Cup champion, will play his final regular-season game on Oct. 17.
CALGARY — The Calgary Stampeders announced Tuesday that veteran kicker Rene Paredes will retire at the end of the 2026 season.
"This wasn't easy, but I’ve made the decision that this season will be my last," Paredes said in a statement from the team.
The 41-year-old, who signed with Calgary as a free agent in 2011, is the longest-serving active player on the roster after 15 seasons.
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He ranks second in franchise history in seasons played, games played (currently 253), points (2,535), field goals (649) and converts (547).
"Playing for the city of Calgary has been such an honour, and I cannot wait to finish the year strong," Paredes said.
Paredes is a two-time Grey Cup champion, winning with the Stampeders in 2014 and 2018, and was named the CFL's outstanding special teams player in 2013.
He is a five-time CFL all-star and a six-time all-West Division selection.
Paredes has connected on 87.7 per cent of his career field-goal attempts and 94.6 per cent of his converts, while adding 59 singles.
His final regular-season game is scheduled for Oct. 17 at McMahon Stadium against the B.C. Lions.
Paredes admitted to reporters Tuesday that he reconsidered his plan to retire after kicking a career-long 62-yard game-winning field goal against the Ottawa Redblacks on Sept. 19.
"Definitely, but before that, I had already made my decision," he said with a smile. "I’m super satisfied with my career, and there’s no regrets."
He has made 20 of 21 field-goal attempts this season and is a perfect 18-for-18 on converts.
His remarkable performance has helped lift the Stampeders (8-8) into fourth place in the West Division and the crossover playoff spot with two games remaining.
The native of Caracas, Venezuela, who was raised in Pierrefonds, Que., played university football for the Concordia Stingers.
"He is technically strong, extremely consistent and has a great mental ability to focus and block out any distractions," former Stingers head coach Gerry McGrath said in a university publication.
Paredes was voted a team captain by his teammates a dozen times during his career and was an eight-time team nominee for Most Outstanding Special Teams Player.
He has also made 13 walk-off game-winning field goals in his career.
The Stampeders visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (7-8) on Saturday in a crucial matchup for playoff positioning.
Calgary also has a shot at passing the Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-7) for third place or the B.C. Lions (9-6) for second.
"Looking back on my journey, there is so much to be grateful for," Paredes said. "I look forward to properly thanking those who have made an impact on my career."
"For now, I’m just focused on the rest of the season," he added. "All the thank-yous and all that stuff will come after."
With files from Sportsnet, The Globe and Mail and Calgary Herald