(Montreal) Antony Auclair announced his retirement from professional football on Wednesday, after winning the Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021.
Auclair, who is 30 years old, has played a total of 56 games in the NFL. During his career, the six-foot-six, 256-pound colossus caught 15 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown.
In 2021, he became the second Quebec player to win the Super Bowl after offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019. Duvernay-Tardif, who is now 32 years old, announced his retirement from the NFL in September 2023.
After signing with the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2017, Auclair wore the uniform of the Florida club for four seasons, until 2021.
The Beauceron tight end then played for the Houston Texans in 2021 and 2022.
After spending a few weeks on the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad last fall, Auclair attempted a return to the NFL during a tryout with the Indianapolis Colts in October, but the contract offer did not materialize.
However, numerous injuries, including a recent knee injury, have slowed his progress.
While waiting for an opportunity to present itself to him last season, he notably offered a helping hand to his former coach Mathieu Bertrand with the center backs of the Rouge et Or at Laval University.
Auclair, who also played for Rouget et Or from 2013 to 2016, will discuss his decision during a press conference which will take place Thursday at Peps at Laval University.