Mississauga – After six CFL seasons, 82 regular season games, eight playoff games, one Grey Cup championship and more than 900 community appearances, Argonauts DB/LB Chuck Winters has decided to retire from football.
Chuck Winters remarked, “I always knew that football had to come to an end eventually. The way I looked at the game, I always thought of it as a vehicle to connect myself with the community. The years that I spent with the Argonauts have been incredible; from winning the Grey Cup to developing strong friendships that will last a lifetime. It was through football that I developed a concept that I feel transcends not only the game but also life – and that’s where I’m headed. In addition to continuing the community work I started with the organization I love, in the city I love, my new business Last Play Training is another way for me to give back all that the game has given to me.“
This off-season, the former Michigan Wolverine will focus on launching his new Mississauga-based business Last Play Training; a company focused on inspiring youth to excel in both athletics and life through the benefit of Winters’ own knowledge and training.
Argonauts GM/VP, Football Operations, Adam Rita commented, “We’re extremely grateful for Chuck’s contributions to the team both on and off the field. He’s an Argo through and through and we’re thrilled that he will continue the outstanding community work that he started six years ago. We wish him nothing but the best.“
Winters, who will continue to be an integral part of the team’s dedicated community programming even in retirement, has shown his versatility as a defender over the past six seasons while playing linebacker, cornerback, defensive back and as a dominant special teams player. He has also been an inspirational leader in the locker room and a true community ambassador for the city of Toronto.
The fan-favourite, and now accomplished public speaker, set a high standard for teammates as a champion of community involvement. While in Double Blue, he was a key component of The Argos Foundation, a vital member of the Huddle Up Against Bullying program, and also represented the team at local charity fundraisers, hospitals, soup kitchens, minor football initiatives, business engagements and many other community endeavours. He has happily accepted appearance requests from across Ontario; Norwood to Sudbury and all the way to Sarnia, with countless stops in between.
Winters was nominated by his teammates as the Argos’ representative for the CFLPA’s Tom Pate Award three times during his career. The award is given annually to the player that showcases outstanding charitable efforts and superior community involvement and leadership.
He and his family, including wife Lynn, and their four children Rayven, Lauryn, Samone and Charles Malik, moved to Mississauga from Detroit in 2005 and now consider Canada home.