Canadian slotback Chris Getzlaf has retired after 11 CFL seasons and two Grey Cup titles.
Former Riders offensive coordinator has fond memories of scouting and working with Getzlaf.
I’ll never forget watching draft film in 2007 the rams for a top prospect everyone loved and I kept getting excited about @ChrisGetzlaf. He made all the plays. He did not disappoint, was a consistent Receiver @ slot position in CFL. A joy to coach, congrats Chris #CDNAIRFORCE
— Paul LaPolice (@PaulLaPolice) January 4, 2018
In 2009, he had 5 touchdowns touchdowns vs cover zero vs CGY including one for 50+ to win the game and another in overtime broke a tackle on a bubble screen and run it in for a TD. @ChrisGetzlaf blitz beater
— Paul LaPolice (@PaulLaPolice) January 4, 2018
Getzlaf made the announcement at Mosaic Stadium, home of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He spent the bulk of his career with his hometown team.
The two-time West all-star (2012, 2013) ends his career with 6,192 receiving yards on 414 receptions and 41 touchdowns with Hamilton, Saskatchewan and Edmonton.
The 34-year-old Regina native began his CFL career in 2007 with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who drafted him in the fifth round, No. 33 overall, out of the University of Regina. Getzlaf was dealt to Saskatchewan in August 2007, spending the next nine seasons with the Riders.
Getzlaf was on Saskatchewan’s practice roster for its ’07 Grey Cup victory.
He joined the Eskimos prior to the 2016 season and played 26 games with the Eskimos before being released in September 2017. Getzlaf re-joined the Riders and spent time on the practice roster before being activated for their 31-20 East Division semifinal win over the Ottawa Redblacks.
That proved to be Getzlaf’s last game with the Roughriders.
“That (playing with Saskatchewan) meant the world,” Getzlaf told reporters during a media conference at Mosaic Stadium. “It was a chance to come home and obviously eventually spark a long career.
“To be able to play in front of friends and family and the great fans of Saskatchewan is obviously something that I’m never going to forget but something that I completely enjoyed the entire time.”
Getzlaf registered 368 catches for 5,697 yards and 38 TDs with Saskatchewan, He was named the top Canadian in the Riders’ 45-23 win over Hamilton in the 2013 Grey Cup final in Regina.
-CP
Thank you, @ChrisGetzlaf:
For everything you brought to Riderville, and always representing the Green and White proudly.#RiderPride pic.twitter.com/Az0Ei5rfff
— Saskatchewan Roughriders (@sskroughriders) January 4, 2018
