Kicker Rene Paredes turns 39, giving the Calgary Stampeders all-star power

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Like a fine wine, Rene Paredes seems to be aging.

Don't count out the Calgary Stampeders' star kicker as four decades of vintage just yet.

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“Yeah … I was giving him a hard time about his birthday the next day,” Stampeders GM/Head Coach Dave Dickenson said of Paredes. “I told the team, 'We have to celebrate Renee's 40th birthday.'

“And he told me he wasn't in his 40s.”

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Not yet.

There will be at least 363 days after turning 39 instead of 40 on a Wednesday.

Who knows if he'll be with the Stampeders when he reaches that milestone age, or even kicking?

Of course, Paredes does not recognize himself.

“I take it once a year — that's why I sign one-year contracts,” said Caracas, a player from Venezuela who is currently in Stamps main camp at McMahon Stadium. “Right now I'm just getting ready for training camp, getting my rhythm and getting ready for the season. Who knows what will happen then, right? I will make a decision (whether to return or retire) by the end of the year.”

Whatever its future, Marks' seniors continue to perform like youngsters.

In 2023, Paredes again became the lifeblood of the Red and White's offense, hitting 52 of 60 field goals, 86.7% accuracy to go along with 29-of-30 conversions.

No one in the CFL made more three-pointers than Paredes, and he hit 185 on the campaign.

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He also had 200 regular season games played and 2,000 career points in one year.

It marked another stellar season in his amazing career, which began with him getting his foot in the door with the Marks in 2011.

“I would tell you you're crazy,” Paredes said when asked as a 26-year-old rookie if he thought he'd be a CFL player at age 39. “I should have been here. A few weeks to replace Rob Mawer, right?

“So I took the opportunity at the time to get the opportunity and it worked out. 13 years later, I'm still here. I'm just trying to make the most of it, have fun and try to win another Gray Cup.”

The only obstacle to his continued success may be shoulder pain.

The recovery from this surgery is a new twist for Paredes in what has been a remarkable career that he endured in the offseason.

“It's the first time I've had surgery – a major surgery,” Paredes said. “So…yeah…it was hard. You know, shoulder pain. It will take some time to recover. But it's going well right now so hopefully I'll be ready to go for Week 1.

“I just have to believe in myself and most importantly stay healthy – stay in shape,” the five-time CFL All-Star continued. “It's been a tough offseason with injuries, but we're getting there. So I have to use this camp to get my rhythm back and improve my kicking.”

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Campbell Fair, a 2023 CFL draftee of the Stamps, is also in camp at the kicker position.

But the Ottawa Gee-Gees, a 24-year-old U SPORTS talent, are unlikely to dethrone Paredes anytime soon.

The only other special teams tight ends in camp are punter Cody Grace and long snapper Aaron Crawford.

“Right now, I like being with the guys that are racing here,” Paredes said. “You've got to come out here and have fun and enjoy the guys. If you're not having fun, you don't need to be here.”

But the former U SPORTS standout knows the Concordia Stingers have work to do to help the team regain its podium.

“I set the same goals every year — it's one shot at a time,” Paredes said. “Make my field goal and go from there. Obviously I want to have a great season and win the gray cup. But at the end of the day, it's one day at a time, one kick at a time and take it from there.”

“He did a good job, you know,” added Dickenson, a 40-year-old player. “(Shoulder surgery) he has to go through some challenges and some things.

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“I feel like he's always been clutch for us, but (age) 39, 29, 19 … it doesn't matter to me. Go out and work, and you have to do it every day—we try to preach consistency.

“That's what Renee is all about.”

IN A SHORT MONTH

Fans are invited to join the Stampeders for Fanfest at McMahon Stadium on Saturday. Fanfest is a free event and will allow fans to meet Stampeders players, hear Dickenson speak, have their picture taken with the Gray Cup trophy and enjoy many family-friendly activities. Players will sign autographs at designated locations from noon to 1:30 p.m. There will be a barbecue on the Telus Patio, and the Stamps Store will have merchandise available for purchase. Attendees will also be able to get autographs from Stampeders alumni and meet Fast Six the Horse, mascot Ralph the Dog and his friends Harvey the Dog, Farley the Fox, Howie the Honey and Blasty the Bronco. “We are very excited to have Fanfest back and kick off all our fans and look forward to the upcoming season,” said Stampeders President Jay McNeil. Outriders and the Stampeders Hype Team will be on hand and activities will include giant inflatables, face painting, football practice with the Calgary Colts and a shooting instructor with members of the Calgary Raj, Calgary Hitmen, and an extensive display of Stampeders memorabilia. “It's a great springboard for other great events like the Red and White game on Sunday and the preseason home game against BC on May 25.” The Red and White will play Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at McMahon… First straight CFL action for the Stampeders is preseason host to the BC Lions on Saturday, May 25 at McMahon (2:00 p.m.).

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