Retired from the CFL only six months ago, Marc-Antoine Dequoy is making a comeback in football competition. The 31-year-old safety is currently in Duesseldorf, Germany, representing the Canadian men’s team at the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world flag football championship. Dequoy had previously retired after a five-season stint with the Montreal Alouettes, citing physical strain as the reason for stepping away from the professional football league.
Dequoy expressed his initial reluctance to return to the sport, mentioning that signing a CFL contract commits players to a demanding schedule of 18 games along with rigorous off-season training, which his body could no longer sustain. However, after some contemplation and encouragement from Canadian head coach Paul LaPolice, Dequoy decided to give flag football a chance. Despite his reservations, he found joy in the new challenge and the opportunity to compete.
During his hiatus from football, Dequoy co-hosted a television show called “Avec ou Sans Cash” with Eleonore Lagace, an experience that made him realize his passion for competition was still alive. Having been a CFL all-star twice and winning the Grey Cup in 2023, Dequoy found flag football to be a refreshing change with its unique rules and dynamics on the field.
Transitioning from traditional football to flag football presented its own set of challenges for Dequoy, who had to adjust his playing style to adhere to the no-contact rules. He admitted that breaking old habits was difficult, especially when it came to avoiding physical contact during plays and mastering the art of grabbing opponents’ flags.
In a recent turn of events, Nigeria’s withdrawal from the championship due to travel visa issues led to a modification in Canada’s schedule, reducing their preliminary-round games to two. Despite this setback, Canada remains focused on securing a top-two finish in Germany to qualify for the Olympics. Dequoy emphasized the importance of this tournament as a gateway to the Olympic Games, highlighting the significance of representing Canada on a global stage.
The world championship serves as a crucial Olympic qualifying event, with the top finishers earning berths for the upcoming games. Dequoy expressed his admiration for the prospect of football becoming an Olympic sport, stating that the opportunity to compete at such a prestigious level is a dream come true for many athletes, including himself.