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Calgary Stampeders
Canadian Football League
January 25, 2011
Calgary Stampeders receiver Ryan Thelwell announced today his retirement from the Canadian Football League.
It has been an honour to be a part of the Canadian Football League and to have had the opportunity to represent two great organizations, said Thelwell. I never would have dreamt that professional football would’ve had such an impact on my life, but it has allowed me to develop friendships that will remain with me for the rest of my life. I really want to say thank you to everyone who helped me along this journey.
Thelwell, 37, spent the final four of his 10 CFL seasons with the Stampeders and retires with 159 regular-season games and 11 post-season contests to his credit. He won the Grey Cup in 2008 with Calgary and in 2006 with the BC Lions. He also played in the 2004 Grey Cup with the Lions. Thelwell was a West Division all-star in 2004 and 2005.
Born in Montego Bay, Jamaica and raised in London, Ont., Thelwell caught 106 passes for 1,735 yards and nine touchdowns with Calgary and totaled 441 grabs for 6,716 yards and 39 majors in his career. He also had two rushes for 62 yards, added one kickoff return for 11 yards and returned a fumble 15 yards for a touchdown during his career. Thelwell’s most productive campaign came with BC in 2005 when he made 74 catches for 1,035 yards and seven touchdowns.
As an organization, we appreciate the contributions Ryan provided to the Stampeders over the past four years, said Stamps head coach/general manager John Hufnagel. He helped us win a Grey Cup in 2008 and was always a consummate professional.
Thelwell was drafted by the BC Lions in 1998 but, because of a stint in the National Football League with San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers, did not suit up for the club until 2001. He joined the Stamps as a free agent prior to the start of the 2007 season.
Thelwell and his family, wife Elizabeth, daughters Amari and Riann and newborn-son Graysen will remain in Calgary, with Thelwell pursuing a new career as an Account Manager at Devani Management Group.
Thelwell’s career regular-season statistics:
Receiving
| YEARS | TEAM | REC | YDS | AVG | LG | TD |
| 2001 | BC | 47 | 672 | 14.3 | 51 | 4 |
| 2002 | BC | 48 | 815 | 17.0 | 53 | 5 |
| 2003 | BC | 59 | 925 | 15.7 | 62 | 4 |
| 2004 | BC | 54 | 909 | 16.8 | 46 | 6 |
| 2005 | BC | 74 | 1,035 | 14.0 | 75 | 7 |
| 2006 | BC | 53 | 625 | 11.8 | 30 | 4 |
| 2007 | Cgy. | 40 | 733 | 18.3 | 70 | 4 |
| 2008 | Cgy. | 24 | 416 | 16.7 | 35 | 3 |
| 2009 | Cgy. | 31 | 492 | 15.9 | 45 | 1 |
| 2010 | Cgy. | 12 | 125 | 10.4 | 18 | 1 |
| CAREER | � | 442 | 6,747 | 15.3 | 75 | 39 |
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