After spending about six months in retirement, Marc-Antoine Dequoy has returned to the football scene, now competing for a championship. The 31-year-old former CFL safety is currently in Duesseldorf, Germany, with the Canadian men’s team for the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world flag football championship. Dequoy had announced his retirement from the CFL in February after playing five seasons with the Montreal Alouettes.
Explaining his decision, Dequoy stated, “I felt physically done with football. When you commit to a CFL contract, you’re signing up for 18 games, and I knew my body wouldn’t withstand the demands of a full off-season, training camp, and 18 games.” He emphasized the importance of being honest with himself and acknowledging when it was time to step away from the sport.
Despite initially not considering flag football, Dequoy was approached by Canadian head coach Paul LaPolice shortly after his retirement. After conducting research and trying out the sport, Dequoy found himself enjoying the new challenge and the opportunity to compete once again.
Although Dequoy temporarily paused his flag football activities to co-host a television show from March to May, he felt a sense of longing for competition as the CFL camps began. This led him to reach out to coach LaPolice and express his willingness to return to the field, emphasizing his enjoyment of the sport.
Having been a CFL all-star and a Grey Cup winner in 2023, Dequoy acknowledged the significant differences and challenges presented by flag football. The game is played on a smaller field with specific rules prohibiting contact between defensive players and opponents, requiring a shift in playing style and mindset.
Canada’s participation in the world championship faced a minor setback when Nigeria withdrew its men’s and women’s teams due to travel visa issues. As a result, Canada, Austria, and Japan were awarded wins in the preliminary round. Canada is set to face Austria and Japan in the upcoming matches.
The ultimate goal for the teams competing in Germany is to secure Olympic berths, with the top finishers earning qualification. Dequoy expressed the collective aspiration to qualify for the Olympics, highlighting the significance of the opportunity to compete at the highest level in a sport similar to football.
While the world championship serves as an Olympic qualifying event, failing to secure qualification would mean participating in subsequent competitions to earn a spot in the Olympic games. Dequoy shared his excitement and gratitude for the prospect of football being represented at the Olympic level, noting it as a dream come true for athletes in the sport.