Calgary Stampeders offensive lineman Derek Dennis announced his retirement on his official Twitter account on Wednesday. Derek Dennis is six foot two and weighs 351 pounds.
The 34-year-old from Queens, New York, played 14 games last season before suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 16 against the B.C. Lions but returned to practice mid-way through training camp. Dennis played 86 career games with the Calgary Stampeders (71) and Saskatchewan Roughriders (15).
Dennis signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent from Temple. Dennis played 52 games in five seasons at Temple (2007-11) playing guard and tackle for the Owls. He would have brief stints with the New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, and Carolina Panthers. Derek Dennis also played in the Arena Football League for the Arizona Rattlers.
In 2015, Dennis signed with the Stampeders and debuted in October 2015. In 2016, he started 18 games and was part of the offense allowing the fewest sacks (20) in the CFL season. He won the CFL’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award, CFL All-Star, and CFL West All-Star.
After spending a year with the Roughriders, Dennis returned to the Stampeders. He started in 18 games and helped the Stampeders win the 106th Grey Cup championship over the Ottawa Redblacks. He was named a CFL West All-Star for the second time in his career.
Dennis played one more season in Calgary before heading to the XFL. He was designated to the Team 9 practice squad and later signed with the New York Guardians. His contract was terminated after the XFL suspended operations.
Dennis returned to the CFL in 2021 when he signed with the Edmonton Elks but never played a game for Edmonton. In 2022, he returned to Calgary for his final season where he was named a CFL All-Star and CFL West All-Star.
Dennis leaves the CFL as a Grey Cup champion (2018), a two-time CFL All-Star (2016, 2022), a four-time CFL West All-Star (2016, 2018-19, 2022), and the CFL’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award in 2016.
