Music: {allcanada} STAMPEDERS ALL-STAR OL TSOUMPAS ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

Thursday, January 30, 2014

{allcanada} STAMPEDERS ALL-STAR OL TSOUMPAS ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

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One of the top Canadian linemen is calling it quits.

Calgary Stampeders offensive guard Dimitri Tsoumpas announced his retirement in a team release on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old will stay with the Stampeders as a strength and conditioning assistant.

Tsoumpas was a four-time West Division All-Star and three-time CFL All-Star after being selected second overall by the Stamps in 2008.

The Weber State product missed most of the 2013 season with a concussion.

"I love football and I've thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Stampeders, so this is a very difficult decision for me to make," Tsoumpas said in a team release. “I've fully recovered from the concussion that I suffered last season but because of the lengthy and difficult recovery period, I just feel that I needed to err on the side of caution and put an end to my playing career."

"Dimitri was a pillar of our offensive line from the day he arrived in Calgary and I thank him for everything he has done for the Stampeders on and off the field over the past six seasons,” Stampeders head coach and general manager John Hufnagel in a team release. “His play in the trenches and his strength of character will be greatly missed. I know this wasn't an easy decision for Dimitri and I am very pleased that he has chosen to remain with the club as a strength and conditioning assistant.”

Along with his All-Star nods, Tsoumpas was also the team's nominee for Most Outstanding Rookie in 2008, Most Outstanding Canadian in 2009, and Most Outstanding Lineman in 2012.

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