Cody Husband is both learning and teaching as he continues along his professional football career.
Nicknamed the "Big Whisperer" in his high school days at New Westminster Secondary, the 6-7, 307-pound lineman is hoping to win a starting spot on the O-line with the Hamilton Tiger Cats this season.
He's also giving his voice to encourage younger players to stay involved in the game.
Husband, an undrafted free agent of the Tabbies, spent most of last season on injured reserve after playing out a fifth and final year at the University of British Columbia in 2010.
But his career to the gridiron was not scripted that way.
He was recruited by high school coach Farhan Lalji to the varsity team and made good, earning the Hyacks' top lineman award in 2005, after being named a 3A conference and provincial all-star.
Husband parlayed that success into a football scholarship at UBC, but didn't learn until his third year with the T-Birds that the pro game was an option.
"I never really expected much," Husband said of his gridiron career after university. "I just kind of played the game and then realized I had a chance to play the (pro) game."
Prior to going off to the Tiger Cats team camp last week, Husband worked out with the high school Hyacks at their spring training sessions, sending the high school students the message that there are rewards for their commitment and hard work.
"I just want to tell the young kids, the sky's the limit. They could earn five years in a quality program and proper training," said Husband. "If they put the work into it, they can get the education paid for and move to the CFL or the NFL."
Two years ago, Hamilton invited Husband to its training camp, and the New West resident impressed enough to earn a spot on the practice roster. He declined and put in a fifth year at university instead.
But this year, the 24 year-old Husband returned and is hungry for a starting spot.
"I learned a lot from those (veteran) guys, and this year I'm ready to go in and challenge for a starting spot," he said. "This season, I want to just go in and fight for a starting position and just get on the field. I want to be on that main roster and just do well."
Grade 9 Hyack lineman Harper Sherman is eager to follow in Husband's footsteps.
"I think it's great. You kind of grow up seeing these guys going to university, and it doesn't really hit you that you could also get to that," said the 64, 260-lb. lineman. "I think to me, I have to have the mindset that I can make it. If I don't think I can make it, I might not really work hard."
That motivated the 15year-old Sherman to join Husband for extra personal workouts at the Canada Games Pool.
"I went from pushing very little weight to getting pretty high in the numbers," Sherman said, adding he is up to bench pressing 255 lbs. and squatting more than 315 lbs.
It's that commitment to the weight room that has high school coaches talking and won him a scholarship to the Football University combine at Vancouver College last month.
There, Sherman held his own against the senior class, earning recognition as the most outstanding lineman.
"I really think it's a great opportunity. (Coach) Farhan has set up this program from practically nothing. It's unbelievable to improve your skills and to get to the next level," Sherman added.
Husband hopes the motivation he and others pass along will give tomorrow's prospects like Sherman, the fuel to reach their goals.
"If I had the motivation back then, I might have had a shot at playing NCAA. But that's something I will never know," Husband said. "I want to teach them to have a good work ethic. A bit of what they do on the field transfers back to the gym, to work and to life.
"A lot of it is just teachiing them how to go about things, and if they're having problems in other places, we'll help them with that, so they don't struggle. If the kids want to do the extra work, I'm fine with that. It's all for the kids."
This Friday, the Hyacks' varsity team will be in Blaine, Washington for an exhibition scrimmage.
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