CFL player from Central Alberta retires
Published 12:45 pm Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Lacombe’s Tanner Green is calling it a career after seven seasons with the Canadian Football League’s Edmonton Elks.
The 32-year-old fullback officially announced his retirement from professional football on social media on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
“While this chapter comes to a close, I look forward to what’s ahead with excitement,” Green stated in post on Instagram.
“Football has given me more than I could have ever asked for and I will always be thankful for the game and the community that helped shape me.”
The Elks selected Green in the fourth round of the 2018 CFL Draft. He went on to make his professional debut that same year.
“Over the years, I experienced more change than most players do in a career: a global pandemic, the name change from the Eskimos to the Elks, six different head coaches and leadership, and a transition to new ownership,” Green stated.
“Through all the changes, and ups and downs, I have always strived to embody (what) it means to be part of the (Edmonton Elks). To come to work with my lunch pail every day, lead with integrity and be the kind of player and person our community could be proud of.”
Prior to being drafted, Green played high school football with the Lacombe Rams. After graduating, he spent four years away from the game before joining the Central Alberta Buccaneers of the Alberta Football League.
His Bucs teammates suggested he play football in university. He put together a highlight tape and sent it to several universities to gauge interest in him as a player. A recruiter from Concordia University in Montreal, Que. received the tape and reached out to Green. He went on to play U Sports football with the Concordia Stingers in 2016 and 2017 before being drafted by Edmonton.
“When we arrived in Edmonton in 2018, I never could have imagined the journey ahead,” Green said.
“This city quickly became home and this organization became like family. I am incredibly grateful for every opportunity to compete and represent this team and its fans.”
Green thanked his wife Erika, saying “none of this would have been worth it without you and (our son) Elias by my side.”
He also thanked members of the Eskimos organization.
“I want to thank my teammates. The brothers I have made, the memories I will cherish — this has been the adventure of a lifetime,” said Green.
“Thank you to the coaches, trainers and staff who believed in me and pushed me to be better every day. Thank you to (long-time Elks scout) Rob Ralph all those years ago who saw potential in me and gave me a shot to make all this happen.”