After retiring from the CFL about six months ago, Marc-Antoine Dequoy has returned to the football scene, this time competing for the Canadian men’s team at the IFAF world flag football championship in Duesseldorf, Germany. Dequoy, a 31-year-old safety who spent five seasons with the Montreal Alouettes, decided to step away from professional football due to physical limitations that would have hindered his ability to commit to a full CFL season. However, the competitive spirit drew him back to the field, albeit in a different form of the game.
Initially hesitant about joining the flag football team, Dequoy eventually warmed up to the idea after conducting research and seeking advice from friends who had experience in the sport. Despite taking a break to co-host a television show from March to May, Dequoy found himself missing the thrill of competition, prompting his return to football through the flag format.
Transitioning from traditional football to flag football presented Dequoy with new challenges, such as adjusting to the smaller field size and the non-contact nature of the game. Despite his background in the CFL, Dequoy had to break old habits and adapt to the rules of flag football, including the technique of grabbing opponents’ flags, which proved to be a learning curve for him.
Canada’s participation in the world championship faced a minor setback when Nigeria withdrew its teams due to travel visa issues, resulting in a revised schedule for the remaining teams. With Olympic qualification at stake, Dequoy and his teammates are focused on securing a top-two finish to earn a spot at the upcoming Olympics in Los Angeles. Missing out on qualification in Germany would mean additional challenges in future qualifying events leading up to the Olympics in 2028.
For Dequoy, the opportunity to compete in flag football at the highest level and potentially qualify for the Olympics represents a dream come true, as the pinnacle of sporting achievement was once associated with events like the Grey Cup. Now, with the prospect of football as an Olympic sport, Dequoy sees it as a blessing and a chance to reach the peak of his athletic career.