After a decorated football career, Grant McDonald is ready for the next chapter of his life.
The former South Delta Sun Devils standout used social media this week to announce his retirement after two seasons in the CFL. The 23-year-old linebacker was just days away from his second season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats when he made the decision to continue the path of becoming a full-time firefighter back in B.C.
“As I say good-bye to my athletic career, I walk away with a full heart, knowing that my family, friends, teammates and coaches are truly some of the best I could have asked for,” he posted. “The support from each of you has made all the tough times easy and the good times all the more great. I won’t necessarily miss the two-a-day (practices), but I’ll miss the brotherhood that football creates.
“To the place where my career comes to an end. Thank-you Hamilton for being an exemplary organization.”
After coming through the South Delta Rams community program from the age of nine, McDonald was a three-year starter for the Sun Devils, highlighted by the championship run in his Grade 10 year when he played both running back and linebacker. He scored a pair of touchdowns in South Delta’s 55-30 win over Mt. Doug in the 2014 title game at B.C. Place. His older brother Jack was another key member who captained the team in his Grade 12 year.
Grant went on to earn a scholarship to Maine University where he was recruited to play tight end. After one season, he returned north of the border and was reunited with Jack at the University of Calgary where he switched to defence and was a major force at linebacker. His time with the Dinos was highlighted by a Vanier Cup win in 2019.
He lost his final season of university eligibility due to the COVID pandemic cancelling the 2020 campaign. Grant was then selected 14th overall by the Elks in the 2021 CFL Draft and was traded to Hamilton hours prior to the 2022 Draft.
McDonald is following the same career path as Riley Jones, another standout SDSS alumni, who spent four years with the Calgary Stampeders before retiring to pursue a career as a firefighter.
