The Calgary Stampeders announced on Tuesday that non-import running back Jesse Lumsden has retired from professional football.
 
Lumsden held a news conference today at Canada Olympic Park where he announced he will focus on his bobsledding career. Lumsden competed in both the two-man and four-man bobsled events at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.
 
“The Stampeders would like to wish Jesse all the best in the future,” said John Hufnagel, head coach and general manager of the Stampeders. “Jesse has shown a lot of perseverance in trying to overcome injury. We hope to see him succeed on the bobsleigh track.”
 
Lumsden played in the CFL for six seasons, the last of which was spent with Calgary. He signed with the Stampeders on Sept. 21, 2010, and was in uniform for the final three regular-season games, recording four carries for 40 yards and one touchdown.
 
He was originally selected by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats sixth overall in the 2005 CFL Canadian Draft and spent four seasons with the Ticats. He also played for the Edmonton Eskimos in 2009.
 
His best season came in 2007, when he had 98 carries for 743 yards with Hamilton. Healso had 26 receptions for 348 yards. Over six CFL seasons, Lumsden had 291carries for 1,842 yards and 10 touchdowns and 52 receptions for 650 yards and two majors.
 
Lumsden starred for four years at McMaster University and won the Hec Crighton Trophy in 2004 as the top player in Canadian university football. He ended his university career as the leading rusher all-time in McMaster and Ontario conference history and the third leading CIS rusher of all-time with 4,138 yards.