Ravens Sports Information (Photo: Sean Burges, Mundo Sports Images, 2022)
OTTAWA - Carleton Ravens alumnus Tunde Adeleke has announced his retirement from the CFL. An original member of the reborn Ravens, Adeleke burst onto the scene at the 2013 Panda Game with a 129-yard field goal return touchdown.
A local product, Adeleke joined Carleton after starring at St. Francis Xavier. In 2017, the defensive back was drafted 25th overall by the Calgary Stampeders. In his rookie year, Adeleke recorded 28 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble on his way to his first Grey Cup appearance. In 2018, he would win his first Grey Cup with the Stamps, beating Ottawa 27-16.
A move to Hamilton in 2019 would cement his legacy in the CFL. Adeleke recorded 49 tackles and his first two career interceptions in 2019, earning CFL East All-Star and CFL All-Star honours. Tunde would record six defensive tackles and one pass knockdown in the 2019 Grey Cup - his third appearance in three years.
After COVID-19 cancelled the 2020 season, Adeleke and the Tiger-Cats continued to dominate the East with Tunde recording 44 tackles, 2 sacks and 2 interceptions in just 12 games. With his second CFL East All-Star nomination, Adeleke returned to his fourth Grey Cup, but came out on the losing end again. After two more seasons and more than 100 more tackles, Tunde would leave Hamilton for Toronto ahead of the 2024 season.
With the double-blue, Adeleke recorded 16 tackles while battling through injuries to appear in 10 regular-season games. Tunde would record two tackles in the 111th Grey Cup, capturing his second championship in his fifth appearance in the big game. With five trips to the CFL final, Adeleke holds the record for most appearances by a Ravens player.
Adeleke would sign with the Ottawa RedBlacks in February 2025, retiring before training camp.
In over 90 regular-season games, Adeleke recorded 247 defensive tackles and 35 special-teams tackles with five sacks and five interceptions.
