  Last season, Dan Comiskey had the rare opportunity to play on the same offensive line alongside his younger brother John. (Sun Media/Ken Armstrong)
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There's family and then there's football family.
Edmonton Eskimos all-star offensive lineman Dan Comiskey was lucky enough to experience both at the same time while wearing green and gold.
But that time came to an end yesterday, marking the final yard of a 12-year career.
"I think people know it's the day I'm going to announce my retirement from the CFL, from the Edmonton Eskimos football club," Comiskey told a group of former, current and future Eskimos gathered at Commonwealth Stadium. "This is a mixed day for me because I've obviously got a lot of friends in the room and a lot of people in this club that I really love, really care about and it's one of those things where you have to move on when it's time.
"You know, you guys really change people's worlds, especially mine. I've learned a lot and I love you all."
NOT A SURPRISE
Comiskey's retirement didn't come as much of a surprise to Eskimos GM Danny Maciocia, who got a call 10 days ago from the lineman -- who turns 37 next month -- that involved reminiscing about the championship seasons of 2003 and 2005.
"He just keeps talking about all those games that we won," Maciocia said.
"And I think about 10 or 15 minutes into the conversation, I asked him, 'Are you thinking about retiring?' Obviously he was at peace with his decision because he sounded so convincing."
As was his ability to remain a fixture in the CFL for all these years.
Drafted by the Saskatchewan Roughriders out of the University of Windsor in 1997, Comiskey came to Edmonton in 2002, where he remained except for a 13-game stint with the Hamilton Ticats in the first part of 2005.
LINED UP WITH BROTHER
Last season, Comiskey had the rare opportunity to play on the same offensive line alongside his younger brother John. Although a broken ankle kept him out of the lineup for 10 weeks, the two helped the Eskimos reach the East Division final against the Montreal Alouettes.
"(It was) probably the bow on the present or the nail in the coffin," Comiskey said of playing with John. "It's been a dream of ours to play together since I first started playing in the CFL. Seeing him as a player, it makes me very proud."
And it's a feeling that's shared.
"Of course, it's an emotional day for Dan and our entire family," said John, 28, the Eskimos centre. "Everybody in our family is just completely proud of what he's accomplished. In more than just football, there's some life lessons. Just the type of man he is, I think we can all aspire to be like that."
