Proulx underwent eight surgeries on virtually every part of his body. Both his tibias were fractured, as were both ankles. He suffered torn knee ligaments and hamstrings and broken ribs and fingers as well. All his lateral meniscus has been removed and he suffers from arthritis in his left knee. He wears a brace most days and, when he goes for his daily walks with Evelyne, his wife of 17 years, Proulx\u2019s knee buckles. Three years ago, he played a game of shinny hockey with his brother, pulled his groin and couldn\u2019t walk for two weeks. He\u2019ll eventually require knee replacement surgery.<\/p>\n
At the height of his career, Proulx\u2019s salary was $120,000, but few in the CFL play for the money. Selected fifth overall by the Als in 2005, he made 98 defensive tackles in his career, 46 on special teams, intercepted nine passes and recovered three fumbles.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m 45, not 75,\u201d he told The Gazette during, at times, an emotional interview. \u201cUntil I was 42, the answer would come out before the question was finished \u2014 never, I had no regrets. The past three years, I\u2019ve questioned what I did and the impact it has had on my life.<\/p>\n
\u201cFootball has given me a lot and I\u2019m very, very, very grateful. I won two Grey Cups, played with great people and coaches. I\u2019ve lived a life many would only dream of \u2026 but physically, I\u2019m starting to question what I put my body and myself through.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Alouettes](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0822-spt-inside-cfl-col-2026-2.jpg\")
Alouettes safety Matthieu Proulx tackles Weston Dressler of the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Aug. 21, 2009, at Molson Stadium in Montreal. john kenney \/ The Gazette<\/p>\n
Proulx, a Plaster Rock, N.B., native who relocated to Gatineau with his family, was an East Division all-star in 2009, but might best be remembered for taking a public stand, along with teammate \u00c9tienne Boulay, before the 2010 Grey Cup, complaining of the substandard accommodations<\/a> the team received in Edmonton. A law school graduate and the team\u2019s players\u2019 association representative at the time, Proulx missed the game with a knee injury<\/a>, prompting his decision to retire.<\/p>\n But, sadly, there\u2019s more.<\/p>\n Proulx sustained five documented concussions that he\u2019s aware of. Since the CFL had no concussion protocol at the time, he thinks the number was probably higher. He returned to games prematurely, but doesn\u2019t hold the Als organization responsible, stating it\u2019s ingrained into players to play no matter the circumstances.<\/p>\n \u201cYou could have a headache but, if you were OK, you went back in \u2014 even if you weren\u2019t OK,\u201d said Proulx, a football analyst for RDS who didn\u2019t pursue a law career. \u201cYou\u2019d answer a few questions while on the stationary bike. It\u2019s not because you had a concussion that you can\u2019t remember your name, the date or the team you\u2019re playing. We know that now.\u201d<\/p>\n The physical turmoil Proulx is enduring is well hidden \u2014 he\u2019s the epitome of fit at 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, 30 pounds below his playing weight. Although he can no longer play soccer or hockey, he exercises and does yoga. Nonetheless, there\u2019s a void in his life.<\/p>\n \u201cI train to be fit and to diminish the pain,\u201d said the father of two girls, Lucie, 13, and Fr\u00e9d\u00e9rique, 11. \u201cBut I can\u2019t do much, so I go for physiotherapy. I want to move. I want to have fun. I don\u2019t want to be done having fun and playing, but that\u2019s what it is. I\u2019m super happy. I\u2019m fulfilled. I just can\u2019t do that much anymore.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know how many good years I have in front of me \u2026 mental health-wise,\u201d Proulx continued, almost shockingly. \u201cThat\u2019s the thing with concussions \u2014 we don\u2019t know. There are a bunch of guys that played these sports and had numerous concussions. Guys who just flipped and fall sick. I don\u2019t know what\u2019s waiting for me, and it\u2019s scary.\u201d<\/p>\n \t\tEditor\u2019s Picks\t<\/p>\n The reality of what Proulx potentially could be facing was driven home in May, when news of Claude Lemieux\u2019s death<\/a> was announced. The former Canadien, 60, committed suicide only three days after he carried the ceremonial pre-game torch into the Bell Centre before a playoff game. His death sparked renewed focus on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) \u2014 the progressive degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head impacts. Lemieux\u2019s<\/a> family announced they would donate his brain to Boston University\u2019s CTE Center.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m scared,\u201d Proulx said. \u201cAm I going to flip at 50 or 55? Am I going to get Alzheimer\u2019s? Lou Gehrig\u2019s? Parkinson\u2019s? All these illnesses that are associated with concussions? Who knows?\u201d<\/p>\n Proulx has changed his outlook on life and is determined to live it to the fullest. When he played, he saved money for his retirement. Now he spends. He travels and dines out.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to live differently \u2026 biting into life and realizing, at my age, this is a gift,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m lucky to be here. If I don\u2019t have anything (left financially) at the end, f\u2014 it.\u201d<\/p>\n hzurkowsky@postmedia.com<\/p>\n