Calgary Stampeders Jon Cornish announces retirement

CALGARY – The Calgary Stampeders’ star running back announced his retirement at McMahon Stadium at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Rumours of Jon Cornish’s retirement started circulating last week after a long stint on the sidelines. The 31-year-old from New Westminster, B.C., has played nine seasons with the Stampeders. In just over a year, however, he suffered three head injuries, leaving him with a series of debilitating concussions.

His health problems began in the first week of the 2014 season when he suffered a concussion after being clotheslined by Montreal Alouttes linebacker Kyries Hebert. The injury cost Cornish seven games.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The latest hit from Edmonton Eskimos linebacker Dexter McCoil Oct. 10 seemed to seal the deal. Cornish missed the final nine games of the 2015 season.

Cornish has had a well-decorated career with the CFL, including four Calgary’s athlete of the year awards, a most outstanding player award, three outstanding Canadian player awards, three CFL All Star Awards, two Grey Cup championship rings, and the 2013 Lou Marsh Award as Canada’s male athlete of the year for any sport.