Lions’ offensive lineman Hunter Steward has been nominated for the 2016 Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award. The honour is given annually to the CFL player who best demonstrates the attributes of Canada’s veterans- strength, perseverance, comradeship and contribution to the community.
Steward knows all about perseverance and playing through pain. He had an excellent season in 2016 after bouncing back from two serious foot injuries that limited the guard to just ten games the past two years. He appeared in all 18 regular season games and earned his starting position back at left guard. He played a big role in helping the Lions lead the CFL in total rushing yards.
Steward is a big proponent of giving back to the community as he regularly participates in kids’ football camps and punt, pass and kick events. His excitement toward helping coach kids stems back to his childhood days in Alberta when Edmonton Eskimos players would show up to the military base he and his family were living. Steward is the son of Lt. Colonel Robin Steward of the Canadian Armed Forces. Hunter was born in Calgary and lived in many towns across Canada as well as a stop in Germany as Robin was transferred from base to base.
After switching from defensive line to offensive line, not an easy transition in college, Steward was drafted sixth overall by the Lions in 2013.
The winner of the Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award will be announced on Thursday, November 24th at the CFL Awards in Toronto. It is named after former CFL commissioner Jake Gaudaur who also served in World War II as a pilot for the Royal Canadian Air Force.