All-star kicker Rene Paredes combines football and firefighting this CFL season
The Calgary Stampeders' Rene Paredes watches his game-winning field goal with Cody Grace against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Calgary on Nov. 20, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Todd Korol
Rene Paredes is the most veteran player in the Calgary Stampeders' locker room and a rookie at the fire station.
The six-time CFL all-star kicker and two-time Grey Cup winner with the Stampeders has a hybrid season ahead of him combining football with firefighting.
The 2022 season would have been the last for Paredes if he, the Stampeders and the Calgary Fire Department hadn't come up with a plan for him to pursue both professions in 2023.
So there's been a few adjustments for the 38-year-old as he embarks on his 12th season as a Stampeder, not the least of which is standing on different rungs of the ladder in each outfit.
"I'm a captain here. I'm a rookie all over again over there," Paredes said Thursday at McMahon Stadium before listing his duties as a probationary firefighter.
"I've got to keep everything clean. I've got to cook. Make sure the coffee is ready. Little things like that," he said.
Paredes works two 24-hour firefighting shifts per week. Those shifts kept him out of three on-field sessions in the first dozen days of training camp.
"I have both schedules for the whole year. I'm planning ahead. I know what days I'll miss here," Paredes said. "It won't be too crazy."
Paredes was born in Venezuela, but grew up in Pierrefonds, Que., and played his college ball at Concordia.
He says his parents are in Calgary for training camp to help out on the home front.
He and wife Melyssa have sons aged six and three.
Paredes says he won't miss any games because he's traded the three shifts on his firefighting schedule that would have bled into game days.
Paredes and special teams coach Mark Kilam have come to an understanding on the kicker's workload as Paredes gets deeper into his career.
"Even if I was here full time, I wouldn't be kicking every day," Paredes pointed out. "Kilam and I have been working together for 12 years. He knows what I need to do to get my work done."
Paredes has been Calgary's Mr. Reliable and Mr. Clutch, with the exception of a rough 5-for-8 outing in the 2021 West Division semifinal.
Paredes resumed his consistency in 2022 when he led all CFL kickers with 209 points off his boot.
His field-goal conversion rate was 90 per cent. Paredes ranked first in field goals from 40-plus yards (40).
Paredes is second all-time on the franchise's points scored list (1,908) behind Mark McLoughlin (2,957), who was Calgary’s kicker from 1988 to 2003.
In 2021, Paredes became the 10th player in CFL history to kick 400 career field goals. He's six away from a career 500.
Since signing with the Stampeders in 2011, Paredes has played every game except one in his rookie season.
Paredes earned the CFL's special teams award in 2013 and was twice the runner-up for it (2015, 2021).
He's compiled stretches of 39, 32 and 30 straight games without a missed field goal during his career.
Paredes is a perfect 11-for-11 in field-goal attempts in his five career Grey Cup appearances.
His body of work warranted accommodation of his career aspirations beyond football, Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson said.
"I don't expect him to miss much," Dickenson said. "It's easier to be a kicker and do it. I don't know if it would work ... where you're actually a defensive tackle and some other position. Rene is here almost every day and he's been kicking well and he looks like he's in great shape.
"In my opinion, his salary probably is less than some other kickers that I think he's as good or better than. He made that concession in order to do these type of things, which shows he's a team player, which is what the fire department is all about as well."
Paredes confirmed he took a pay cut this season to support his current arrangement.
"I wasn't going to go anywhere else," Paredes said. "If I get traded tomorrow, I'm retiring. I want to be here. I've been here for 12 years. Calgary is my home now. There's no other team I would play for.
"We have a good team. I thought last year we would have had a good chance for a run. We have a very similar team. We've added a couple good guys here and there. I just want to win a Grey Cup."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 25, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prison service to review decision to transfer killer Bernardo to medium security
The federal prison service says it will have a second look at its decision to move convicted killer Paul Bernardo to a medium-security facility as political leaders of all stripes react to the news with shock and outrage.
Poilievre threatens to filibuster budget bill if Liberals don't meet demands
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is threatening to use procedural tools to delay passage of the federal budget in the House of Commons if the Liberals don't meet his demands.
About ducking time: Apple to tweak iPhone autocorrect function
One of the most notable happenings at Apple's event for developers on Monday is likely the iPhone maker's tweak that will keep its autocorrect feature from annoyingly correcting one of the most common expletives to 'ducking.'
Canada facing critical shortages of leukemia and thyroid cancer drugs
Canada is currently facing a critical shortage of drugs used to fight thyroid cancer and a form of leukemia.
Small-brained ancient human cousins may have buried their dead, according to a surprising study
An ancient human cousin may have buried its dead and carved symbols into cave walls, surprising findings for a creature with a small brain.
Facing evacuations due to a forest fire or flood? Here’s what to pack in a grab-and-go bag
While some natural disasters or bouts of extreme weather may require sheltering in place until authorities can restore power to the area, others require residents to evacuate quickly, sometimes in a matter of hours — and if you want to be prepared, you should create a grab-and-go bag.
Poor air quality, evacuations in multiple provinces due to wildfires
Wildfire smoke prompted warnings about poor air quality for many regions across the country, stretching from northern Alberta to the Atlantic.
Data shows COVID-19 hospitalizations, severe outcomes continue to decline, but we must remain vigilant: experts
Wastewater testing, hospitalization and death data from COVID-19 tell us the virus' spread continue to trend downward in Canada. But we're not at the end, and public health experts say we must heed lessons learned from the pandemic and remain vigilant. Read the analysis on CTVNews.ca.
Apple unveils sleek 'Vision Pro' goggles. Will it be what VR has been looking for?
Apple on Monday unveiled a long-rumoured headset that will place its users between the virtual and real world, while also testing the technology trendsetter's ability to popularize new-fangled devices after others failed to capture the public's imagination
Edmonton
-
Why experts agree Edmontonians should report non-criminal 'hate incidents' to police
Edmonton police launched a new tool Monday to encourage reports of "hate incidents," something officers believe will help them track people who may escalate to "hate crimes."
-
Alberta wildfire evacuee thanks man who saved him when he was choking on water
A man from Drayton Valley, Alta. is publicly thanking a swimming instructor who helped him when he was choking on water at a hotel pool.
-
Homicide unit investigating death at scene of robbery in Forest Heights
A person was killed during a robbery in Edmonton's Forest Heights neighbourhood Monday morning.
Vancouver
-
Multiple investigations underway after B.C. woman’s suspicious death in Australia
Police in Australia are investigating the suspicious death of a woman who used to live in Surrey, BC, after her body was found in her apartment on the outskirts of Sydney.
-
Multiple Metro Vancouver police agencies join forces to tackle retail theft in Surrey
A crackdown on retail theft in Surrey has resulted in 26 arrests, the recommendation of 15 criminal charges and the recovery of more than $5,000 in stolen merchandise, according to police.
-
B.C. officials respond to 'fear-based' rhetoric about safer supply programs
Despite "anecdotal information and allegations," there is no evidence that a prescribed safe supply of opioids is being diverted and causing increased harm and death – specifically among youth, B.C.'s chief coroner said Monday.
Atlantic
-
Weather conditions ground aircraft covering Shelburne County wildfire
Crews fighting an out-of-control wildfire in southwestern Nova Scotia are trying to determine what impact weekend rain had on their efforts.
-
Help available to Nova Scotians impacted by wildfires
Nova Scotia organizations, small businesses and individuals are offering support to those who have been evacuated or who have lost homes due to the numerous wildfires across the province.
-
N.S. government to contact people impacted by cybersecurity breach
Nova Scotia’s government and cybersecurity experts are working to get to the bottom of a breach that still isn't fully understood.
Vancouver Island
-
Wildfire burning out of control near Port Alberni reaches 20 hectares
A wildfire that has been burning out of control on Vancouver Island since Sunday morning is now estimated to cover approximately 20 hectares of dense forest near Port Alberni.
-
Nanaimo-Vancouver ferry service takes another step towards launching
A new foot passenger-only ferry service between Nanaimo and Vancouver has marked another milestone towards starting operations.
-
Victoria police promise 'sustained enforcement' at Topaz Park amid growing community concerns
Victoria police say officers will be at Topaz Park on an ongoing basis for the foreseeable future amid growing calls for service related to the park.
Toronto
-
Widow whose husband was killed by a speeding OPP officer told misconduct was ‘not serious’
A grieving widow whose husband was run over and killed by a speeding OPP officer can’t believe the force told her it won’t hold a public hearing into the case because it decided the misconduct was “not serious.”
-
Correctional Service of Canada releases statement on Paul Bernardo's transfer to medium-security prison
The Correctional Service of Canada has released a statement about serial killer Paul Bernardo's transfer to a medium-security prison.
-
U.S driver accidentally takes wrong turn, ends up arrested at border with massive bag of cash
A U.S. driver has been arrested by the RCMP after making a wrong turn and ending up in a line to cross the Canada border while in possession of more than $815,000 in cash and a large amount of cannabis.
Montreal
-
Montreal organized crime figure Francesco Del Balso killed in daylight shooting
A 53-year-old man was shot and killed in the Montreal suburb of Dorval on Monday afternoon. A source told CTV News that the victim is Francesco Del Balso, who has links to Montreal's Mafia.
-
OBITUARY
OBITUARY | Editor of Montreal's only newspaper for Black community, Egbert Gaye, dies at 67
Community Contact newspaper managing editor Egbert Gaye, a well-known leader in Montreal's Black community, has died after suffering a massive heart attack over the weekend. He was 67.
-
Number of Quebec wildfires rises to 164, at least 114 are out of control
The number of forest fires continues to rise in Quebec, while evacuation orders are being maintained for several areas of Sept-Îles, on the North Shore. Minister of Employment and Minister responsible for the North Shore region Kateri Champagne Jourdain said on Monday morning that 164 forest fires were currently burning across Quebec, compared with 156 the previous day.
Ottawa
-
Evacuation notice extended for residents as forest fire burns near Calabogie, Ont.
Officials are asking people living around Centennial Lake to evacuate their homes as a forest fire burns in the area west of Calabogie, Ont. An evacuation order has been extended to Wednesday afternoon.
-
AIR QUALITY STATEMENT
AIR QUALITY STATEMENT | Hazy conditions in Ottawa as wildfire smoke blows across the capital
A haze blanketed the sky Monday in Ottawa as smoke from Quebec wildfires blew across the city.
-
Visitors asked to postpone trips to Gatineau Park due to wildfire risk
The National Capital Commission is asking residents to consider postponing trips to Gatineau Park because of a growing fire risk.
Kitchener
-
'Such outcomes are unspeakable': Fatal fire in Waterloo under investigation
Flames and smoke could be seen shooting out of a home on Graham Street in Waterloo shortly after midnight on Monday, creating a scene that firefighters say was intense before they arrived.
-
Police are warning people with this model of car to take extra precautions
It comes amid what police say is a growing number of thefts targeting the model.
-
Developers turning downtown Kitchener office building into 91 rental units
For the first time in the City of Kitchener, a downtown office high-rise is being converted into rental units.
Saskatoon
-
City emails reveal how a Saskatoon shelter was relocated and shed light on early concerns
While Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) publicly mulled moving its downtown emergency shelter to a location on 20th Street near the city's core, city documents reveal the wellness centre's present Fairhaven area location was heavily favoured early in the process.
-
Sask. man pleads guilty in deadly crash involving 2 sons
A Saskatchewan man who successfully appealed his conviction is now pleading guilty to charges involving a crash that killed his two sons and girlfriend.
-
Saskatoon MLA says she's not running for re-election
After the next provincial election, there's guaranteed to be a fresh face representing a Saskatoon constituency.
Northern Ontario
-
Evacuation notice extended for residents as forest fire burns near Calabogie, Ont.
Officials are asking people living around Centennial Lake to evacuate their homes as a forest fire burns in the area west of Calabogie, Ont. An evacuation order has been extended to Wednesday afternoon.
-
Here's what Nova Scotia's wildfires look like from outer space
Photos released by NASA taken from International Space Station show the immense scale of the wildfires in Nova Scotia, with billowing smoke engulfing the landscape.
-
Prison service to review decision to transfer killer Bernardo to medium security
The federal prison service says it will have a second look at its decision to move convicted killer Paul Bernardo to a medium-security facility as political leaders of all stripes react to the news with shock and outrage.
Winnipeg
-
-
Winnipeg bridge construction project cost increasing
The price tag for the St. Vital Bridge project is going up.
-
Woman drives vehicle into Wawanesa business she allegedly threatened: RCMP
Charges are pending against a 42-year-old woman after she allegedly drove her SUV through a business in Wawanesa, Man., last week.
Regina
-
Trial for Regina man charged with murder of brother delayed due to health
The trial of a man charged in connection to the death of his brother was set to get underway in Regina on Monday but now faces a delay.
-
Police search for vandals after 'vulgar, anti-police' statements spray painted on Elbow RCMP detachment
Police in the community of Elbow, Sask. are searching for two vandals, who spray painted vulgar, anti-police statements onto the local RCMP detachment.
-
Saskatoon MLA says she's not running for re-election
After the next provincial election, there's guaranteed to be a fresh face representing a Saskatoon constituency.