April 11, 2014

So long Sultan: Hage announces retirement

Adam Gagnon

CFL.ca Staff

HAMILTON — After 10 star-studded seasons, longtime CFL centre Marwan Hage has announced his retirement.

Hage, 32, spent his entire decade-long career with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, before being taken by the Ottawa REDBLACKS in the 2013 Expansion Draft.

“I am incredibly thankful to have the chance to play 10 years in the Canadian Football League.  My career has provided me with a lifetime full of memories and relationships that I will cherish for the rest of my life,” said Hage. “As I close the book on my playing career, I would like to thank everyone at the Hamilton Tiger-Cats who have helped me throughout my career including my teammates, the staff, our great fans, Scott Mitchell and Bob Young. I look forward to beginning another exciting chapter of my life while continuing to work with the Hamilton community.”

Affectionately known as “The Sultan”, Hage was a two-time East Division All-Star, and was once named a league All-Star, earning the honour in 2010.

Drafted in the second round of the 2004 Draft by the Ticats, Hage was a massive contributor to the Hamilton and Montreal – his hometown – communities.

His charity “Hage’s Heroes” is a program that has welcomed over thousands of underprivileged youth to Tiger-Cats home games, fed families through food drives, organized Christmas toy drives and made numerous donations to local charities since its inception in 2007.

Hage was honoured with the 2009 Tom Pate Memorial Award for his efforts in the community.