Paredes to retire at the conclusion of 2026 season
Arthur Ward/CFL.ca
CALGARY -- Calgary Stampeders kicker René Paredes has announced that he will retire from the Canadian Football League at the end of the 2026 season, it was announced on Tuesday.
“This wasn’t easy, but I’ve made the decision that this season will be my last,” said Paredes. “Playing for the city of Calgary has been such an honour, and I cannot wait to finish the year strong. Looking back on my journey, there is so much to be grateful for. I look forward to properly thanking those who have made an impact on my career.”
Paredes originally signed with the Red and White as a free agent in 2011 and has remained with the team ever since. He is Calgary’s longest-serving active player and sits second in franchise history in seasons played (15), games played (currently at 253), points (currently at 2,535), field goals (currently at 649) and converts (currently at 547).
With two regular season games remaining, Paredes has made 649-of-740 field goals (87.7 per cent) and 547-of-578 converts (94.6 per cent) while adding 59 singles in his career. He has also booted 13 walk-off field goals with his most recent one taking place on Sept. 19 at McMahon Stadium from a career-long 62 yards out.
Paredes has suited up in a Western Semi-Final or Western Final 15 times, going 33-of-39 on field goals and 35-of-36 on converts. In five Grey Cup appearances, Paredes has made all 11 of his field goal attempts and nine of his 10 converts.
Born in Venezuela, he was raised in Montreal and attended Felix Varela Senior High in Miami, Fla. Paredes then played collegiately at Concordia.
The now 41-year-old made a 50-yard field goal for the Stamps on his first CFL attempt. He has led the league in scoring on three occasions and is an eight-time team nominee for Most Outstanding Special Teams Player while taking home the league-wide honour in 2013. In addition, Paredes is a six-time West Division All-CFL selection and All-CFL performer, two-time Grey Cup champion and 12-time team captain as voted by his teammates.
He became the first player in league history to have four different seasons with at least a 90 per cent success rate on field goals and is now up to seven such campaigns while being on pace to accomplish the feat once again in 2026.
Paredes’ final regular season game will be at home on Oct. 17 against the BC Lions. The game can be watched on TSN and CFL+, kickoff is slated for 7:00 P.M. ET.