Veteran tackle Randy Richards retires from Edmonton Elks

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

Veteran offensive tackle Randy Richards has announced his retirement from the CFL.

Richards, who signed with the Edmonton Elks as a free agent in January of 2021, becomes the second Elks offensive lineman to hang up the cleats this week, joining former Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Derek Dennis.

A six-year CFL veteran with experience playing both the left and right tackle positions, Richards played in 39 games between stints in Saskatchewan, Calgary, and Toronto.

The 30-year-old has started in two Grey Cup games for the Calgary Stampeders, winning in 2018. Richards attended the College of the Sequoias before transferring to Missouri State from 2011-2012. The offensive lineman spent time in the NFL with both the San Diego Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before joining the CFL in 2014.

Richards is just the latest in a string of high-profile retirements as players prepare to enter quarantine at the end of this month, with more expected in the coming days.