Paredes to retire at season’s end after 15 seasons with Stampeders

Graphic by Provectus Media (PM)

CALGARY — Calgary Stampeders kicker René Paredes will retire at the end of the 2026 season, closing out a 15-year CFL career spent entirely with the Red and White.

"This wasn't easy, but I've made the decision that this season will be my last," Paredes said in the team's announcement. "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, 41, signed with Calgary as a free agent in 2011 and never played for another CFL club. No active Stampeder has been with the team longer, and he ranks second in franchise history in seasons played (15), games played (253), points (2,535), field goals (649) and converts (547).

With two regular-season games remaining, Paredes has connected on 649 of 740 field-goal attempts (87.7 per cent) and 547 of 578 converts (94.6 per cent), adding 59 singles. Thirteen of his field goals have been walk-off winners, the most recent a career-long 62-yarder to beat Ottawa at McMahon Stadium on Sept. 19.

His playoff résumé is just as strong. Paredes has appeared in 15 West semifinal or West final games, going 33-of-39 on field goals and 35-of-36 on converts. In five Grey Cup appearances he made all 11 of his field-goal attempts and nine of 10 converts, winning championships in 2014 and 2018.

Paredes led the league in scoring three times and was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Special Teams Player in 2013. He is a six-time all-West Division and all-CFL selection, an eight-time team nominee for Most Outstanding Special Teams Player and a 12-time team captain as voted by his teammates. He was the first player in league history to record four seasons with a field-goal success rate of at least 90 per cent; he is now up to seven such campaigns and is on pace to do it again in 2026.

Born in Venezuela and raised in Montreal, Paredes played collegiately at Concordia and drilled a 50-yard field goal on his first CFL attempt.

Last week, Paredes was named the Stampeders' nominee for the 2026 Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Award.

Paredes' final regular-season game will be at home on Oct. 17 against the BC Lions. Calgary closes its schedule with a trip to Winnipeg on Oct. 10 before the home finale.