TORONTO – DaVaris Daniels has called it a career.
The veteran CFL receiver announced his retirement Tuesday night via social media. The 33-year-old native of Vernon Hills, Ill., played nine seasons with the Calgary Stampeders (2016-18), Edmonton Elks (2019) and Toronto Argonauts (2021-25), winning three Gray Cups.
“I’ve felt the highest this game has to offer and I’ve felt what it’s like to lose it all,” Daniels wrote “But in every setback I found perseverance. I found gratitude.
“Nothing in life is ever promised. And through my faith I can clearly see now that God was preparing me for what was to come. Things may not always happen when or the way you want them to – but he’s always right and he’s always right on time. I came out the other side grateful. Grateful to be on a team. Grateful to play. Grateful for this one game.”
Similar videos
6-foot-2, 203-pound DaVaris Daniels didn’t reveal what’s in store for him.
Get daily national news
Get Canada’s daily news delivered to your inbox so you never miss the top news of the day.
“As one chapter closes, I step into what comes next carrying everything this game gave me — character, perspective, resilience and an appreciation for life I could never find any other way,” he said.
Before coming to the CFL, Daniels spent time in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots in 2015.
Daniels came with his football honesty. His father, Phillip Daniels, was a defensive end in the NFL for 15 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks (1996-1999), Chicago Bears (2000-2003) and Washington Redskins (2004-10).
After retiring as a player, the great Daniels spent time in Washington’s front office before taking up coaching. He earned a Super Bowl ring in 2018 as an assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles and was the defensive line coach last season with the Gray Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders.
He is currently in the same role with the Ottawa Redblacks.
The former Notre Dame star appeared in 125 career regular-season games, recording 444 catches for 6,609 yards and 43 touchdowns. Daniels’ best CFL season was in 2022 with Toronto, when he had a career-best 61 catches.
The following season, Daniels recorded his only 1,000-yard receiving campaign (1,009).
Daniels was the CFL’s top rookie in 2016 while with Calgary. His Gray Cup wins came with the Stampeders (2018) and Toronto (2022, 2024).
“To the city of Calgary – you brought me back to life when I needed it most and I will never forget that,” he said. “To the city of Toronto – thank you for embracing me and making me feel at home.
“To my teammates, my family and every fan who has been with me on this journey – I felt every bit of your support and I am deeply grateful. And most of all, thank you God for never letting me give up.”
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on May 5, 2026.
&copies 2026 The Canadian Press
