REGINA – The best football player from Grand Coulee, Sask. has decided to hang up his cleats. Ben Heenan, the first player taken in the 2012 CFL draft, announced his retirement Thursday.
The 6’4″, 316-pound offensive lineman made the stunning announcement in a release distributed by his agent, Dan Vertlieb. The former University of Saskatchewan Huskie played three years with the club and was the starting right tackle on the Riders’ Grey Cup-winning squad in 2013. In all, Heenan started 46 regular-season games with Saskatchewan before signing with the Colts.
Heenan, 26, had signed with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts following the 2014 season. He attended the Colts training camp and was injured but later rejoined the club’s practice roster in November. The offensive lineman had just signed a new futures contract in January, but three months later is done.
“My achievements in football simply would not have happened without the outstanding people I have had in my corner, and I will be forever grateful to everyone who helped me play the game for as long as I did,” Heenan said in a statement.
“I look forward to seeing what life has to offer after football.”