Former NFL, CFL defensive lineman Christian Covington retires from pro football

Photo courtesy: Tiffany Luke /B.C. Lions

Longtime NFL and CFL defensive lineman Christian Covington announced his retirement from professional football this week.

The 32-year-old made his decision public with a lengthy social media post late Monday. The full statement can be read below.

“To the game that raised me…

I was 12 years old the first time I put on that uniform. Twenty years later, I find myself accepting the word best to describe my heart’s position regarding retirement… indebted. Indebted to this beautiful game and indebted to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for being there with me through it all.

Football gave me everything. It gave me discipline before I understood the word, brotherhood before I knew how to ask for it, and a platform I never took for granted. Even with the hardships that were present – the adjustment to southern heat and humidity, the injuries and surgeries, and the countless moments of doubt – God was right there with me. His grace carried me further than talent ever could have alone.

To my family, you sacrificed every step alongside me and loved me throughout this journey. I love you and thank you with all of my heart. To my coaches and teammates who poured into me at every level, thank you for seeing something in me worth developing. To the fans who supported me, you made this Canadian kid feel like he could accomplish anything and everything on the biggest stages in sports. And to Maria, I thank you for your love, support, and wisdom that has encouraged me to trust in our Heavenly Father that much more. I love you more than you will ever know.

Though it is the end of this journey, I am not walking away from the game. I am walking into everything it prepared me for.

With gratitude and love,

Christian Coral Cleveland Covington”

The six-foot-three, 289-pound defensive lineman was originally selected in the sixth round, 216th overall, of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans after an outstanding collegiate career at Rice University. He would go on to dress for 102 regular-season NFL games with the Texans, Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, and Los Angeles Chargers. Covington recorded 196 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two pass knockdowns. According to Spotrac, the Canadian made $8.65 million USD in his NFL career.

Following nine seasons in the NFL, Covington came home for the 2024 CFL campaign and signed with the B.C. Lions, who had drafted him in the fifth round, 43rd overall, during the 2015 CFL Draft. In 29 regular-season games with the Lions, he registered 29 defensive tackles, seven sacks and two forced fumbles. He was released ahead of the 2026 season.

Christian is the son of Canadian Football Hall of Fame pass rusher Grover Covington. He attended Vancouver College for high school, whose alumni also include Bryan Chiu, Peter Dyakowski, Kevin Eiben, Adam Konar, Cal Murphy, and Angus Reid. He helped the school win the B.C. high school provincial championship in 2010 and was named the province’s defensive Most Valuable Player.