Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Lucky Whitehead, who has become one of the standout stars in the CFL over the last few years, has officially hung up his cleats. The former Cowboys wide receiver announced on his Instagram account last week that he’s retiring from professional football.
The Instagram post had the caption, “Beginning & End of an Era, and Forever Grateful,” and showed various pictures/videos of Whitehead throughout his football career, from his time with the Cowboys, New York Jets, B.C. Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The 32-year-old’s football career began with the Dallas Cowboys, who signed Whitehead as an undrafted free agent following the 2015 NFL Draft out of Florida Atlantic. Whitehead appeared in 30 games across two seasons with the Cowboys, making a name for himself on special teams.
Whitehead joined the New York Jets in July 2017 after being waived by Dallas. However, he did not play in a single regular season game for the Jets as he bounced on and off the active roster, practice squad, and injured reserve.
The former Cowboys wideout eventually took his talents north of the border to Canada, where he became a star in the CFL. Whitehead joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2019, the same team he finished his career with.
In his first season in Winnipeg, the former Dallas receiver had 52 receptions for 521 yards and two touchdowns, including a 104-yard kickoff return touchdown on special teams.
After making a name for himself (and winning the Grey Cup) with the Blue Bombers, Whitehead took his talents to British Columbia, where he became a household name and was a CFL and West Division All-Star. The former Cowboys pass-catcher played three seasons in B.C. before returning to Winnipeg for the 2024 season.
Whitehead had a chance to end his career with a second championship ring, but the Blue Bombers lost to the Toronto Argonauts in the 111th Grey Cup. The 32-year-old wide receiver couldn’t carve out a long-term NFL career but made the most of his opportunity in Canada.