Montréal – Following a nine-season career in the CFL, all of which with the Alouettes, receiver Éric Deslauriers announced his retirement from football on Thursday. He will however remain with the organization as he has accepted the position of Football Operations Assistant and Scout with the club.
Deslauriers (6’4″, 206 lbs.) caught 99 passes good for 1,334 yards while scoring three touchdowns in 115-career games. He was the Alouettes first-round (seventh overall) draft pick in the 2007 CFL Canadian Draft. In 2011, he caught Anthony Calvillo’s historic 395th touchdown pass, which allowed the CFL’s most prolific passer to climb into first place all-time in that category. Deslauriers also contributed on special teams throughout his career, racking up 14 special teams tackles and blocking a punt he returned for a touchdown.
The Calgary native who grew up in the Ottawa region helped the Alouettes secure back-to-back Grey Cups in 2009 and 2010. He gained an important first down in the 2010 championship game with a 10-yard run on a fake punt. In seven playoff games, he amassed 190 yards on 11 catches while scoring a major. Deslauriers was also a pilar for the Together at school with the Alouettes program, reaching thousands of kids throughout Quebec schools, helping them make the right decisions and to stay in school.
“I will never forget the two Grey Cups we won and the parades the City threw for us following those victories.”
“We congratulate Éric for a wonderful career and for all his dedication to the Alouettes on and off the field. He has always had a natural ability to raise the level of practice everyday with his energy and has been a positive influence to his teammates and staff.,” declared Alouettes General Manager and Head Coach. “I have said to him several times over the years that he would be a great addition to our organization once his playing days were over. Sometimes timing is everything and we are fortunate to have him join the entourage.”
His new duties will comprise, among other things, of analyzing and evaluating all the talent for the upcoming CFL Canadian Draft. The former Eastern Michigan University Eagle will also be responsible for advance scouting once the season gets underway.
“I would like to thank our owner Bob Wetenhall and Jim Popp for allowing me to play at home in front of my friends and family for nine beautiful years. I would also like to thank all of my former coaches and teammates who allowed us to be successful in Montreal throughout the years,” said Deslauriers. I will never forget the two Grey Cups we won and the parades the city threw for us following those victories. I am excited about getting my second football career started with the Alouettes.”
MUST WATCH: Press conference of Éric Deslauriers ->
Check out one of the greatest moments of Éric Deslauriers’s career with the Alouettes
