Michael Klassen to suit up for a final time, retire post-game

The best mullet in football is cutting it short.

Seven year veteran defensive tackle Michael Klassen will strap on the pads for a final time in warmups Friday before retiring from professional football, he announced on his Instagram page.

A great player and an even better person.

We'd like to wish @mikeklassen90 all the best in his retirement.

DETAILS 👉 https://t.co/rGaaXDvlOG pic.twitter.com/7uH4awagJZ

— Ottawa REDBLACKS (@REDBLACKS) November 1, 2019

Klassen will not actually play in the Redblacks’ season finale due to his status on the six-game injured list.

Drafted in the fourth round, 32nd overall, in the 2013 draft out of the University of Calgary, played in 87 career games split between Montreal, Calgary and Ottawa. He recorded 108 tackles, 14 sacks and two forced fumbles as a valuable ratio friendly option on the defensive interior.

A fan favourite due in part to his old-school mullet hair style and affable personality, Klassen has been a frequent star on Redblacks’ social media as half of the “Big and Rich” duo with Richie Leone, sampling food around Ottawa.