Jon Cornish retires from Calgary Stampeders

Calgary Stampeders running back Jon Cornish announced his retirement Wednesday after nine CFL seasons, three rushing titles and two Grey Cup rings.

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The 31-year-old from New Westminster, B.C., was the CFL's leading rusher and top Canadian from 2012 to 2014. But he was limited to just nine games in each of the last two seasons due to injuries.

"All good things must come to an end," Cornishsaid as hemade the announcementat McMahon Stadium.

The news does not come as a big surprise.Cornish suffered three head injuries in a span of just 16months, including one in 2014that sent him to the sidelines for six weeks.

He had hinted his playing days were over during interviews at theGrey Cup.

The three-time all-star spent his entire CFL career with the Stampeders. Despite making just 60 career starts, Cornish finished his career as the fourth-leading rusher in Stampeders history with 6,844 yards.

"You have literally made my dreams come true," said Cornish as he thanked his supporters.

Cornish said going forward he would like to be an advocatefor brain health.

"This isn't me leaving football, it's just me leaving the field," he said.

Jon Cornish on his retirement

9 years ago

Duration 1:42

The star running back recounts his career after announcing his retirement from the CFL.

Plagued by concussions

Cornish broke Normie Kwong's 56-year-old single-season rushing record for a Canadian with 1,457 yards in 2012. He thenbroke his own record the following year with 1,813 rushing yards.

He was awardedthe Lou Marsh award forCanada's athlete of the year and wasnamed CFL's most outstanding player in 2013.He also wonCalgary's athlete of the year awardfour times.

"Jon was an exceptional player for this franchise and I congratulate him on an excellent career," said Stampeders general manager John Hufnagel, who was head coach for eight of Cornish's nine seasons in Calgary.

Cornish made just nine starts in 2014 but still led the league in rushing with 1,082 yards. The Stampeders went on to win the 2014 Grey Cup 2016 over Hamilton, though the Tiger-Cats held Cornish to 25 yards on nine carries.

"I'm very comfortable with my decision," said Cornish. "Over the years with this team, I feel we've been able to achieve everything that is possible to achieve both as a team and as an individual."