Charleston Hughes just turned 40 years old earlier this month. In a post on social media the veteran defensive end announced he is retiring.

A two time Grey Cup Champion, and three time league sack leader, Hughes was a force to be reckoned with on the field.

He started his career with the Calgary Stampeders in 2008 out of Northwood College in the US. After a strong rookie season, Hughes tried to catch on with the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL, but was released before getting into a game, and he returned to the Stampeders for the 2009 season.

In February 2018, Hughes was traded to Saskatchewan from Hamilton in return for quarterback Vernon Adams. That same day he has been traded to Hamilton from Calgary for a better draft position. Hughes played a couple of seasons with Saskatchewan before the 2020 season was wiped out by COVID. He was released soon after.

In 2021 Hughes played for the Toronto Argonauts, and he returned to the Riders as a free agent signing in 2022. He was a free agent before last season, but no teams picked him up.

Hughes had a great career with 132 sacks in 190 games played. He also had three career interceptions and 30 forced fumbles.