After a brief six-month retirement, Marc-Antoine Dequoy is back in action, vying for a football title. The 31-year-old safety, who retired from the CFL in February after five seasons with the Montreal Alouettes, is currently in Duesseldorf, Germany, competing in the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world flag football championship.
Dequoy explained that his decision to retire from the CFL was primarily due to physical concerns and his inability to commit to a full season of games. However, his competitive spirit led him to explore flag football after being approached by Canadian head coach Paul LaPolice. Despite initial reluctance, Dequoy eventually embraced the challenge and found joy in competing once again.
Although Dequoy had to take a break from flag football to co-host a television show from March to May, he realized that he missed the competitive aspect of the sport. Transitioning to flag football presented new challenges for the former CFL all-star, requiring him to adjust his playing style to adhere to the different rules and dynamics of the game.
Canada’s flag football team faced a minor setback when Nigeria withdrew from the competition due to travel visa issues. As a result, Canada’s preliminary-round games were reduced, with the team now set to play against Austria and Japan. The top finishers in the tournament will secure Olympic berths, with Dequoy expressing the team’s goal to qualify for the Olympics by finishing in the top two or three positions.
Despite the adjustments and uncertainties surrounding the competition, Dequoy remains optimistic about the opportunity to potentially qualify for the Olympics through flag football. The world championship serves as a crucial step towards achieving this dream and represents a new pinnacle in his athletic career.