Locker-room leader Rob Cote retiring after 11 seasons

Rob Cote knew that, if he wanted to come back to take one last shot at another Grey Cup, he probably could have done it.

His leadership in the lockerroom alone would have made Cote a worthwhile investment for the Calgary Stampeders as they prepare for the 2018 season, and he showed last year that he was still more than capable of contributing on the field.

But after 11 years as a member of the Red & White, it was finally time to move on.

Cote announced Tuesday morning that he’s retiring from professional football and starting a new job with the Calgary Construction Association.

As for that one last Grey Cup, well, the problem with playing for the Stampeders is that it’s always going to seem like next year might be a championship season.

“That’s the position that the team has been in for the past several years and I don’t see it changing for the next few,” Cote said. “We got our hearts broken the last two years and (you think) ‘let’s go take another shot at it’ because you know we’re going to be right there.

“I said that last year, and fool me once,” Cote continued with a big grin.

The truth is, while another Grey Cup would always be nice, Cote is leaving the Stampeders — but not Calgary — with a list of accomplishments that any professional football player would dream of having.

The Cochrane High School product signed with the Stamps as a 20-year-old in 2007 and went on to play 179 regular season games, tying him for the most ever by a Stampeders player.

Cote contributed to one of the most successful periods in Stampeders history, too, appearing in 12 West Division playoff games and four Grey Cups, winning CFL championships in both 2008 and 2014.

“I was a part of a lot of really special teams and I was always a really greedy player,” Cote said. “I wanted to win more Grey Cups, as all of our friends and everybody in this room wanted to win more Grey Cups.”

The fullback appeared on both offence and special teams, finishing his career with 113 catches for 1,160 yards and 13 touchdowns, 40 carries for 143 yards and 82 special teams tackles.

Those aren’t the most eye-popping numbers any player has ever put up, but Cote brought a versatility that made him invaluable to the coaching staff and was a leader in the locker-room and on the field.

Meanwhile, Stampeders running backs ran for six rushing titles during his time with the team, thanks in part to his blocking.

“Today’s definitely a bittersweet day,” said Stampeders president/ GM John Hufnagel.

“I’m so proud of Rob, what he’s done in the locker-room, on the field and in the community. It’s special when a man like that can

I was a part of a lot of really special teams and I was always a really greedy player. I wanted to win more Grey Cups.

step away from the game on his own accord.

“His value to our team is far more than what is apparent. He’s such a versatile player. Obviously he was our starting fullback, but he was also our backup running back in a lot of games, he was a backup receiver, he was able to do that because of his high football intelligence.

“We counted on him, maybe even took advantage of Rob, having that security blanket on the football field.”

Off the field, Cote was also one of the Stampeders’ greatest ambassadors in the community.

He was twice voted by his teammates to win the Presidents’ Ring, which goes to the player who shows excellence on and off the field. He was a captain for six seasons and was the 2013 winner of the Herm Harrison Memorial Award for community service.