Tyris Lebeau, one of the top linebackers in the 2021 CFL Draft, is retiring from football. He made the announcement on his Instagram page.
April 16th, 2021 is the day where 18 years of my life ended in a matter of minutes. On this day, during a scrimmage in spring camp, I suffered a severe concussion. It was this day where I had to make the hardest decision of my life: continue playing the sport I love and risk my health in the near future, or retire while I can.
After discussing with my family, coaches and medical staff, I have decided to hang up my cleats for good. I want to thank all of the players and amazing coaches that I have crossed paths with during my football career. I want to thank my friends and family who’ve been there for me through my ups and downs, and more specifically, I want to thank my brothers at UMass. I love y’all and I wish I could do one last ride with y’all. With that being said, thank you football.
The six-foot-one, 210-pound defender played at Vanier College in 2016 before arriving on campus at the University of Massachusetts. He played three seasons with the Minutemen, recording 69 total tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, and one interception in 24 games. He missed the team’s four-game season in 2020 due to the concussion he’d suffered six months earlier.
The Montreal native was projected as a mid-round selection in the 2021 CFL Draft, which is set for May 4.
