CFL veteran offensive lineman Peter Dyakowski announces retirement

HAMILTON — Peter Dyakowski is calling it a career.

The veteran CFL offensive lineman announced his retirement Thursday. Dyakowski, 34, of Vancouver spent 11 seasons in the league, including 10 with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

“Peter was not only a great player, but also a model citizen and an incredible community ambassador throughout his CFL career,” Ticats owner Bob Young said in a statement. “On behalf of the Tiger-Cats, we want to congratulate Peter, thank him for all of his efforts on and off the field over the years, and wish him and his family nothing but the best as he transitions to life after football.”

The six-foot-five, 320-pound Dyakowski appeared in 166 career regular-season games — 149 as a starter — with Hamilton (2007-16) and Saskatchewan (2017). The former LSU star played both guard and tackle over his CFL career.

Dyakowski appeared in 14 career playoff games, including two Grey Cups (2013, 2014). Twice he was voted by his peers to the CFL Players’ Association all-star team (2012-13).

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In 2012, Dyakowski was the winner of CBC’s Canada’s Smartest Person reality special. He appeared on an episode of “Jeopardy!” on June 3, 2014, finishing in third place.

“Looking back on the 12 years since the Ticats drafted me, and looking around myself today, I have nearly too much to be thankful for,” he said in a statement. “I worked and played alongside many of the best people in Canadian football, saw my team become a perennial contender, and somehow wound up with a beautiful wife and two perfect children.

“I’ve experienced the highest highs in this city with this team, and I lived through points that were as low as low gets. In both cases I was truly fortunate to have many amazing people helping me along.”

The Canadian Press