Grey Cup champion defensive back Forrest Hightower retires from the CFL

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

Grey Cup champion defensive back Forrest Hightower has retired from the CFL.

Hightower wrote on Twitter: I’ll be brief. If I ever played with u, played for u, if u ever supported, or even boo’d me, I appreciate u!! I’m am very grateful for the past 6 yrs. I had a solid run, now I get to leave the game on my own terms. Big thank you to the CFL and everyone involved – Fo

Hightower made back-to-back Grey Cup appearances with Ottawa. During the 2016 CFL title game, he recorded one defensive tackle and two interceptions to help the Redblacks secure their first Grey Cup.

The 5-foot-10, 186-pound native of Oakland, CA spent two seasons with Ottawa, recording 63 defensive tackles, two interceptions, and one quarterback sack in 23 career games. After two standout seasons as a Redblacks, Hightower signed with the New Orleans Saints in January 2017, but he was released in late May.

That led to Hightower signing with the Edmonton Football Team and playing three seasons on the Alberta capital. He suited up in 32 games while recording 73 tackles, five interceptions, and one sack in green and gold. Hightower’s final season came in 2019.