Glenn Howard, iconic Canadian curler, announces retirement
One of the nation's most beloved and decorated curlers, Glenn Howard, officially announced his retirement on Tuesday.
The decision marks the end of an illustrious career spanning decades.
"I bet you didn't think this day would ever come," Howard posted on X (formerly Twitter), along with a statement announcing his official farewell to the competitive sport.
Howard says issues with his knee have led him to what has been a difficult decision.
"My mind still wants to play. I want to be out on the ice, that's where I feel I belong. I love to compete. I love to play obviously with my son but the body's saying I think it's time," Howard said to CTV News.
The 61-year-old said he wanted to finish his career playing alongside his son, Scott. The duo has played side-by-side for eight years.
Glenn Howard and his son Scott (CTV Barrie)
Howard's legacy in Canadian curling is nothing short of legendary.
Hailing from Penetanguishene, Ont., he made his mark on the sport with a remarkable list of accomplishments, including multiple world and provincial championships, plus four Briers. He has played more Briers than any other curler.
"It's not an individual sport. You need three other guys with you to be able to get to the highest levels and some of the guys I've played with have just been amazing and we're still friends today," said Howard. "I can say that everybody I've curled with we are still friends and I'm really proud of that."
Beyond his impressive trophy cabinet, Howard was revered for his sportsmanship, leadership, and dedication to the game.
"It's turned me into a better human," said Howard. "My dad was a big believer you had to learn how to lose before you could learn how to win and I learned that early on and I realized that winning isn't everything. It's a lot of fun but you have to take it graciously."
In 2013, he was inducted into the Penetanguishene Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2022, Tiny Township, where he now calls home, named a street after him, Glenn Howard Court at Overhead Bridge Road.
Glenn Howard (R) stands with his 97-year-old mother at a street naming ceremony in his honour in Tiny Township, Ont., on Wed., Oct. 6, 2021, with a street naming ceremony. (CTV News)
"While I am sad that this journey and my curling story is coming to an end, I am hopeful that I will keep my hand in the best sport in the world in some way, shape or form. I look forward to the future and what it will bring for both myself and the sport of curling," Howard signed off.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Statistics Canada says real GDP grew 0.2 per cent in February
Canada's GDP rose 0.2 per cent in February, driven by a rebound in transportation and warehousing, which saw the largest recorded month-to-month rise in over a year at 1.4 per cent.
Fatalities reported after wrong-way crash on Highway 401: police
Ontario's Special Investigations Unit has been called in following a deadly wrong-way collision on Highway 401 in Whitby on Monday night, say police.
NEW Is there a cost to convenience? Canada approves new cancer immunotherapy treatment
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Canada's new dental program offering hope of free care to millions but many dentists aren't signed up
A new Canadian dental care program is offering the hope of free care to millions, but while 1.7 million people have signed up for the plan, only about 5,000 dentists have done the same.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
Winner of US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot is an immigrant from Laos who has cancer
One of the winners of a historic US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot last month is an immigrant from Laos who has had cancer for eight years and had his latest chemotherapy treatment last week.
King Charles III returns to public duties with a trip to a cancer charity
King Charles III returned to public duties on Tuesday, visiting a cancer treatment charity and beginning his carefully managed comeback after the monarch's own cancer diagnosis sidelined him for three months.
NDP says Ottawa's new grocery task force isn't living up to government promises
The federal government says the task force it created to monitor and investigate grocery retailers' practices has not conducted any probes and doesn't have a mandate to take enforcement action.