By The Canadian Press

Veteran Canadian safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy announces his CFL retirement

Feb 2, 2026 | 1:27 PM

MONTREAL — Marc-Antoine Dequoy is calling it a career.

The 31-year-old Canadian safety announced his CFL retirement Monday, after five seasons with the Montreal Alouettes. Dequoy, of l’Île-Bizard, Que., is scheduled to meet with reporters Tuesday in Montreal.

Slated to become a free agent Feb. 10, Dequoy said he had a deal with Montreal on the table but ultimately decided to walk away from the game.

Montreal took the six-foot-three, 198-pound Dequoy in the second round, No 14 overall, in the 2020 CFL draft. The league didn’t play that season, and Dequoy attended the Green Bay Packers’ rookie mini-camp.

Dequoy joined the Alouettes in time for the 2021 CFL season, appearing in 73 regular-season games with Montreal, earning league all-star honours in 2023 and ’24 while helping the Als win a Grey Cup title in 2023.

Dequoy registered 162 tackles, 21 special-teams tackles, three sacks, five forced fumbles and 12 interceptions while scoring three TDs over his CFL career.

“I want to thank (Als owner) Pierre Karl Péladeau, (GM) Danny Maciocia, and the Montreal Alouettes for allowing me to live out my childhood dream and spend my career in Montreal,” he said in a statement. “There was a genuine desire to return, and we had an agreement on the table, but after discussing it with my loved ones late into the night, I realized my body was no longer ready for that kind of sacrifice.

“I will never forget the fans of this city and all the love they gave me throughout my career. I cherished every second of my time in Montreal, and I leave at peace, with a clear mind.”

He appeared in 15 regular-season games in 2025, recording 34 tackles, four special-teams tackles, three sacks and an interception return for a touchdown as Montreal reached the Grey Cup game before losing 25-17 to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Dequoy played collegiately at the University of Montreal, helping the Carabins reach the 2019 Vanier Cup. He was a U Sports all-star in 2017, ’18 and ’19.

“I want to thank Marc-Antoine for the service he has given us since the beginning of his career with us,” said Maciocia, formerly the Montreal Carabins head coach. “I recruited him out of the Université de Montréal when he was playing at the CEGEP level, and I have always admired his talent as well as his warm and charismatic personality.

“He played a key role in our Grey Cup championship in 2023 and has been deeply involved in all of our community initiatives since joining the nest. We will miss him, but I am confident he will enjoy great success in the job market in the years ahead.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 2, 2026.

The Canadian Press