CFL career rushing leader retires

EDMONTON, Alberta – Mike Pringle, a former Washington State Cougar, is retiring after a career in which he became the Canadian Football League’s career rushing leader.

“After three teams and a lot of highs and lows, I’ve come full circle, finishing my career where I started,” the Edmonton Eskimos running back said Monday during a conference call.

Pringle, 37, is a two-time winner of the league’s outstanding player award and the only player in CFL history to surpass 2,000 yards rushing in a season – 2,065 yards in 1998 with Montreal. He led the CFL in rushing six times and was an All-Star seven times. The 5-foot-8 Pringle captured three Grey Cups and finished with 16,425 yards rushing.

“His career should be seen not solely in terms of the records, but also for the incredible dedication he brought to the stadium every day,” Edmonton coach Danny Maciocia said.

Pringle finished fourth in CFL rushing last year with 1,141 yards. He was a sixth-round draft pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 1990 after playing at Cal State Fullerton. Pringle was released by the Falcons in 1991.