After being retired for about half a year, Marc-Antoine Dequoy is now back in the football scene, this time vying for a championship title. The 31-year-old safety, previously with the Montreal Alouettes in the CFL, is currently in Duesseldorf, Germany, participating in the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world flag football championship.
Dequoy decided to retire from the CFL in February due to physical reasons, acknowledging that his body wouldn’t withstand the demands of a full season. However, the opportunity to compete in flag football piqued his interest after some contemplation and discussions with friends who had experience in the sport.
Despite initially hesitating to join flag football, Dequoy eventually embraced the challenge. However, his brief hiatus from the sport to co-host a television show reignited his competitive spirit, leading him back to the field. His CFL background, including two Grey Cup appearances, did not fully prepare him for the nuances of flag football, where the rules and gameplay differ significantly.
Adjustments were necessary for Dequoy, especially in curbing his instinctual tackling habits and mastering the art of flag pulling. Furthermore, Canada had to adapt its tournament plans after Nigeria withdrew from the competition due to visa issues, resulting in a revised schedule for the remaining teams.
The primary goal for Dequoy and his team at the world championship is to secure a top-two or three finish, which would earn them a coveted spot in the Olympics. Falling short in Germany would mean additional qualifying events in the future, emphasizing the significance of the current opportunity for Dequoy and his fellow athletes.
The prospect of football potentially becoming an Olympic sport has reignited Dequoy’s passion and aspiration, offering him a new avenue to strive for greatness at the highest level of competition.
