Despite announcing his retirement from the NFL the day before, Antony Auclair was overcome with emotion as he delivered his comments to PEPS at Laval University, where his career began. “You might as well prepare, but you're still crying,” the shocked hulk summarized.
• Also read: NFL: Antony Auclair retires
So that no one was forgotten, the tight end, who played in the NFL from 2017 to 2022, appeared in front of microphones and cameras with a note. However, it is impossible to maintain full control.
At 30, after four seasons with the Buccaneers, one with the Texans and another trying to get back into shape, it's already the end of an era.
“It's special because you feel great, but you have to stop playing.
“The main reason for this is that my desire to play has become less great than my tolerance for the risks of the job,” explained the 1.95 meter tall man from Beauceron, who became one of only three players from the Canadian Football University won a Super Bowl, in Tampa, in 2020.
On the edge
Antony Auclair wiped away tears a few times while explaining the reasons for his retirement as an NFL player and thanking his loved ones. Photo agency QMI, René Baillargeon
Auclair fought back tears several times during his speech. His voice really choked as he greeted his family and everyone who looked after him at the gym.
Auclair's career was marked by injuries that repeatedly plunged him into difficult rehabilitation phases.
He was dealing with a third-degree hamstring strain. He suffered from an ankle injury and another knee injury. He even had to leave a game in Seattle with two torn ligaments in one foot.
“What makes me most proud is that I fought when things weren't going well and kept believing,” he said.
One last attempt
Last fall, he expressed to his agent Sasha Ghavami his interest in attempting a return to the game after long months on the sidelines. The Colts examined him physically but took no further action. Otherwise the phone didn't ring.
“Retirement will require a good journey because I was never satisfied as an athlete. If I had to give any advice to an athlete it would be to sit down for a moment, realize what you are doing and be happy with it. We often remember the negative: I made a big block, I made a good catch, but I missed a certain play…,” he said.
Back at home
The head coach of the Rouge et Or, Glen Constantin, with his former protégé Antony Auclair. Photo agency QMI, René Baillargeon
Since we can take Auclair out of football, but never Auclair's football, he returns to the University of Laval's Rouge et Or, where he played from 2013 to 2016. His exact role has yet to be defined, but he will be part of the coaching staff and in particular lead the central defenders.
“The development of young people in Quebec is very important to me. With my brother [Adam]“We want to develop camps to give back what I have received and that is also the idea of the Rouge et Or. It really excites me,” he said, while Glen Constantin is pleased to bet on his services.
“I am very happy about that. I often tell boys to see things through to the end and when it's over, call their parents and then call me!
“For me it is an example of perseverance and the importance of dreaming big. He always trained more than the others. It's a good message to send in the program, it's also a good message that you have a lot of football background,” he said.
So for someone who played 56 games in the NFL, it's the end of one chapter but also the beginning of another.
“I hope I was able to open the eyes of NFL teams to realize that there is exceptional talent in Quebec. We will see more and more players. Football here is improving.”