Marc-Antoine Dequoy confirms retirement from Canadian football

Marc-Antoine Dequoy has decided to hang up his cleats. The 31-year-old Canadian safety revealed Monday that he is retiring from the CFL after spending five seasons with the Montreal Alouettes. A native of L’Île-Bizard, Que., Dequoy is set to speak with reporters in Montreal on Tuesday.

Although he was due to become a free agent on Feb. 10 and had a contract offer from the Alouettes, Dequoy chose to step away from football.

Montreal selected the six-foot-three, 198-pound defensive back in the second round (14th overall) of the 2020 CFL draft. With the league cancelling that season, he instead took part in the Green Bay Packers’ rookie mini-camp.

He joined the Alouettes for the 2021 campaign and went on to play 73 regular-season games for the club. Dequoy earned CFL all-star recognition in 2023 and 2024 and was part of Montreal’s Grey Cup-winning squad in 2023.

Over his career, he totalled 162 defensive tackles, 21 special-teams stops, three sacks, five forced fumbles and 12 interceptions, returning three of those for touchdowns.

“I want to thank Pierre Karl Péladeau, Danny Maciocia and the Montreal Alouettes for letting me fulfil my childhood dream of playing my entire career in Montreal,” Dequoy said in a statement. “There was real interest in coming back and an agreement was on the table, but after long conversations with my family, I understood my body couldn’t handle that level of sacrifice anymore. I’ll always be grateful to the fans for their support. I treasured every moment here and leave feeling at peace.”

In 2025, he suited up for 15 regular-season games, recording 34 tackles, four special-teams tackles, three sacks and a pick-six. The Alouettes advanced to the Grey Cup but fell 25-17 to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Before turning pro, Dequoy starred at the University of Montreal, helping the Carabins reach the 2019 Vanier Cup. He was a U Sports all-star three straight years from 2017 to 2019.

Alouettes general manager Danny Maciocia praised both his impact and character.

“I want to thank Marc-Antoine for everything he has given this organization,” Maciocia said. “I first recruited him when he was at CEGEP, and I’ve always respected his ability and his warm personality. He was instrumental in our 2023 championship and has been heavily involved in community work. We’ll miss him, but I’m sure he’ll succeed in whatever comes next.”