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2012 Grey Cup MVP Chad Kackert retires, starts new career as Argos’ strength coach

Andrew Bucholtz

Two years after he led the Toronto Argonauts to a hometown Grey Cup, 2012 Grey Cup MVP Chad Kackert has retired as a player—but he'll still be working with the team as their strength and conditioning coach. It's highly unusual to see a 27-year-old player retire, especially one who was so recently seen as one of the league's top running backs, but in Kackert's case, it's thanks to injury. The broken ankle he suffered in practice ahead of last year's playoffs apparently didn't heal as well as hoped. It seems like he'll still be able to help the Argos even without carrying the ball, though. Here's a statement from Toronto head coach Scott Milanovich on Kackert's retirement, and his new role:

"I would like to thank Chad for his hard work and professionalism while serving our football team as a player. When it was clear to both us and Chad that his leg injury would prevent him from competing at a high level we began to discuss his desire to remain close to the game. We're excited that he will join our staff as Strength & Conditioning Coach, and we believe his experience will be valuable to our players in helping them prepare themselves physically each week."

It's unfortunately to see Kackert depart the CFL's playing ranks so soon, as he only recently arrived, and did so via an unconventional path. The 5'9'', 198-pound California native was overlooked coming out of high school, so he went all the way to the University of New Hampshire to play Division I-FCS football, and despite starring there, he wasn't taken in the NFL draft and only managed a brief stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent. Hopes for him weren't all that high even after he signed with the Argonauts in 2011, as the team already had a star running back in Cory Boyd, but Toronto general manager (and also head coach at that time) Jim Barker clearly saw something in him. Barker traded Boyd away mid-season, astounding the league, but that paved the way for Kackert's emergence. He shone in 2011, earning the team's top rookie nod, and was even better in 2012, particularly in the Grey Cup, where he racked up 133 yards on 22 carries in the Argos' 35-22 win and was named the game MVP. At that time, the former unknown looked to be a CFL star for years to come.

Things didn't get easier for Kackert, though, as he battled injuries throughout 2013 even before his broken ankle. That appears to have been the final blow to his playing career, and his case is one more example of the physical toll football can take on its players. He's at least the second CFL player under 30 to retire this offseason (following Stampeders' all-star guard Dimitri Tsoumpas, who retired at 29 in January, citing a desire to preserve his health and avoid further concussions). This is a league where veteran players over 30 can often excel, but there are also plenty of talented players who can't keep their careers going that long thanks to injuries. At least Kackert, a famed workout warrior, will be able to stay with the Argos and help their other players improve their training and conditioning. His on-field contributions may be over, but he may still be a crucial part of the Toronto organization in the coming years.