Sinopoli announces retirement after nine seasons in the CFL

Brad Sinopoli is leaving football happy and healthy.

The Ottawa Redblacks veteran receiver announced his Canadian Football League retirement Wednesday. The 33-yearold Peterborough native spent nine seasons in the league with the Calgary Stampeders (201114) and Ottawa (2015-19).

“It was very difficult to come to terms with that acceptance (retirement) but at the same time there are things you deal with bodywise and healthwise that start to add up over the years,” Sinopoli said. “I wanted to retire healthy and feeling good. I always said I never wanted to play until I’m breaking down and it seemed like now is the right time to move forward healthy and happy with my family.”

The six-foot, 215-pound Sinopoli broke into the CFL with Calgary after being named Canadian university football’s top player in 2010 as a quarterback with the Ottawa Gee-Gees. Sinopoli transitioned to receiver during his third year with the Stampeders before returning to Ottawa as a free agent prior to the 2015 season.

Sinopoli blossomed into a star with the Redblacks, registering four straight 1,000-yard seasons and twice being named the CFL’s top Canadian (2015 and ’18). He also helped Ottawa win the 2016 Grey Cup with a thrilling 39-33 overtime decision over Calgary.

But, after suffering a seasonending shoulder injury in 2017, Sinopoli had his worst statistical season with Ottawa in 2019 (72 catches for 671 yards). The Redblacks finished with a CFLworst 3-13 record.

The CFL didn’t play in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but plans to return Aug. 5 with a 14-game schedule.

Also figuring into Sinopoli’s thinking was his wife, Laura,

delivering the couple’s first child — a son named James — in March 2020.

“It (pandemic) really just gave me the time to reflect,” Sinopoli said.

Sinopoli’s announcement definitely follows a trend. Also on Wednesday, free agent Canadian safety Taylor Loffler retired after four CFL seasons while Tuesday Canadian receiver Natey Adjei was one of six Montreal Alouettes to call it a career.

Also on Tuesday, Edmonton offensive lineman Derek Dennis, the CFL’s top lineman in 2016, announced he was stepping away from football this season to take care of his family. Dennis said he wasn’t retiring.

Cornerback Delvin Breaux (Hamilton Tiger-Cats), quarterback James Franklin (Saskatchewan Roughriders) and defensive lineman Adrian Tracy (Hamilton-Montreal) were among a number of CFL veteran players to retire this off-season.

Sinopoli, who also won a Grey Cup with Calgary in 2014, registered 509 career catches for 5,741 yards and 19 TDs in 139 regular-season games. He also added 21 receptions for 247 yards and two touchdowns in 11 career playoff contests.