Unretiring: star defensive back Delvin Breaux planning CFL return

Photo courtesy: CFL.ca

Defensive back Delvin Breaux is planning to return to playing in the Canadian Football League, per sources.

He retired in March 2021 but followed the Ticats making it to the 108th Grey Cup from afar and was on the sideline during the CFL championship game at Tim Hortons Field. After a year watching CFL games from home, Breaux has started the process of preparing to play in 2022. Breaux was transferred from the retired list and added to Hamilton’s active roster, however, it’s important to note he is a pending free agent.

The 32-year-old has played 49 career games with the Tabbies over four seasons, which included two separate two-year stints 2013 to 2014 and 2018 to 2019. He recorded 110 defensive tackles, 16 pass knockdowns, six forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, three tackles for loss, two interceptions, two touchdowns — one interception return, one fumble return — and one quarterback sack.

The six-foot-one, 210-pound boundary cornerback has played in three Grey Cup games. He earned three-down league all-star honours twice while being named an East Division All-Star three times and was voted to the CFL’s first all-decade team in November 2020.

In the NFL, Breaux spent three seasons with the Saints, appearing in 22 games for New Orleans in 2015 and 2016 before missing the 2017 season due to injury. Overall, the native of New Orleans, Louisiana registered 64 total tackles, 20 passes defended, three interceptions and one fumble recovery with his hometown team.

He was also the Saints’ 2015 recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award presented to select players in the NFL who are voted by their teammates as role models of inspiration, sportsmanship and courage. While with the Saints, Breaux earned nearly $2 million in NFL salary.

Signed to play NCAA football with the Louisiana State University Tigers in 2007, Breaux suffered a near career-ending neck injury, fracturing three vertebrae during a high school prep game. As a result of his injuries, he acted solely as a player-coach during his tenure with the Tigers. Breaux had two surgeries, including one that left him with scarring on his neck, and it took him five years to recover.

Fully healthy after two years away from the field, it would be fair to say the Tiger-Cats are his likely landing spot. President of football operations and head coach Orlondo Steinauer has a close relationship with Breaux and that could lead to a contract.