Two-time all-star Steven Dunbar Jr. retires from CFL

Photo: Larry MacDougal/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

American receiver Steven Dunbar Jr. has retired from professional football. The 30-year-old made the announcement via multiple social media platforms on Tuesday.

I’m officially retiring from football.

Thank you God.
Thank you to my family for all the sacrifices along the years of me playing.
Thank you to my teammates and coaches throughout the journey.
Thank you to myself for giving it all you had.

Looking forward to what’s next 🏁 pic.twitter.com/7GBNh9PUtz

— Steven Dunbar Jr. (@Herkuless__) February 18, 2026

Dunbar had been a free agent since February 10, when his contract expired with the Edmonton Elks. He saw action in 10 games last season, notching 44 receptions for 511 yards and two touchdowns.

The native of New Orleans, La., entered the CFL in 2021 with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and broke out the following season with a 1,000-yard campaign, earning East Division all-star recognition. He moved to Edmonton in 2023 but was released following a disappointing season, later spending time with the UFL’s Houston Roughnecks. He returned to Hamilton in 2024, rebounding with a second career divisional All-CFL selection.

In 70 career CFL games with the Ticats and Elks, Dunbar caught 274 passes for 3,836 yards and 22 touchdowns.

The six-foot-three, 202-pound target played collegiately for the University of Houston, where he made 180 receptions for 2,430 yards and 11 touchdowns in 38 games. He spent time with the San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, and the XFL’s Dallas Renegades before coming to Canada.