Cody Hunter’s passion for football burns hot.
“I love everything about it,” the son of Virden’s Brenda Hunter and Kenton’s Mel Hunter said. “I love practices to games and everything in between. I like how much of a team sport it is and a brotherhood, in which everyone has to work together to be successful. It teaches great life lessons that way. I like how much it is a mental game as much as a physical game and you have to be thinking all the time. There is nothing I don’t like about football.”
Hunter is in his fifth season for the Westman Wolverines. A plant operator for Cargill in Nesbitt, Hunter juggles his career and other commitments with suiting up for the Brandon-based Manitoba Major Junior Football League team. The team and league provide a place for Hunter and other players ages 18 to 23 to keep playing football after high school.
“I just love playing football,” Hunter said. “I enjoy the team aspect of the Wolverines and how close I’ve gotten with the coaches and players over the years and the bonds that have been made throughout my career there. There is a special culture within the Wolverines and I’m so happy to be a part of it.”
The Wolverines are thrilled to have him. The team deploys the former high school quarterback in the defensive backfield as a cornerback and halfback.
“He is a very important player on our defence,” Westman head coach Brady Dane said. “He plays hard, and he takes the game seriously. He is definitely a leader on the team, both by example through his high effort and ability, and as a captain who holds his teammates accountable. He’s a great athlete and brings a lot to the table in coverage and as a tackler.”
Hunter said his enjoys the challenge of his defensive positions as “you have your own individual battle within each game.” This past season Hunter was also used on the punt, punt return and kickoff teams.
