Calgary Stampeders placekicker Rene Paredes has announced he will retire at the conclusion of the 2026 campaign, drawing the curtain on a 15-year tenure that has rewritten the franchise record books and cemented his status as one of the most reliable specialists in Canadian football history.
The 41-year-old Venezuelan-born veteran, a two-time Grey Cup champion and five-time league all-star, revealed the decision in a club statement on Tuesday. His final regular-season appearance is scheduled for 17 October at McMahon Stadium against the B.C. Lions — a fitting bookend given the opponent featured in the Western semi-final where he most recently showcased his clutch gene.
A career built on consistency
Since arriving in Alberta as a free agent in 2011, Paredes has missed just a single game through injury, accumulating 253 appearances in the red and white. Only the great Larry Robinson has suited up for more seasons in Stampeders colours.
The numbers tell a story of metronomic precision. Paredes has connected on 87.7 per cent of his field-goal attempts and a staggering 94.6 per cent of his converts. His 649 field goals and 547 converts have yielded 2,535 points — all second in franchise annals. He has also chipped in 59 rouges, those uniquely Canadian single points that so often swing tight contests.
Grey Cup glory and individual honours
Paredes was the league’s outstanding special teams player in 2013, but his legacy was forged in November. He kicked the winning field goal in the 102nd Grey Cup as Calgary edged Hamilton 20-16, then added another championship ring four years later when the Stampeders dispatched Ottawa 27-16 in Edmonton.
Teammates have long spoken of his calming influence in the huddle. “When Rene lines up, the whole sideline exhales,” one veteran offensive lineman told this correspondent last season. “You don’t coach that. You just appreciate it.”
The long goodbye
“This wasn’t easy, but I’ve made the decision that this season will be my last,” Paredes said. “Playing for the city of Calgary has been such an honour, and I cannot wait to finish the year strong. Looking back on my journey, there is so much to be grateful for. I look forward to properly thanking those who have made an impact on my career.”
The Stampeders have yet to name a successor. General manager Dave Dickenson acknowledged the club has begun succession planning, though replacing a player who has defined the position for a generation represents a unique challenge.
Why it Matters
Paredes’s departure marks the end of an era not merely for Calgary but for the CFL itself. In a league increasingly defined by quarterback mobility and explosive offences, his career stands as a testament to the enduring value of special-teams excellence. The next time a kicker trots onto the McMahon turf with the game on the line, the shadow of number 30 will loom large — a reminder that greatness in this sport is often measured in three-point increments.
