They say the holidays are a great time to come home for a rest, and for Sherwood Park’s Chuba Hubbard, this Christmas break comes at an ideal time for a timeout in his football career.
“It’s always good to be home,” Hubbard told Global News after he arrived at Edmonton International Airport on Thursday night.
“I think it’s been like six months since I’ve been home so just to come back and get a little bit of that cold weather and see my family is fun.”
The Oklahoma State University running back returned to Alberta just hours after he became the 10th player in his university’s history to earn unanimous All-America honors. Another running back who accomplished that feat with OSU is legendary NFL star Barry Sanders.
READ MORE: Edmonton-area football player enjoying spectacular success in NCAA
Hubbard’s stellar play in his second season in the NCAA has seen him accumulate a staggering 1,936 rushing yards, the most since Sanders set an NCAA record with 2,850 in 1988.
Earlier this month, Hubbard was named The Associated Press’ Big 12 offensive player of the year.
Hubbard was also in consideration for the Heisman Trophy awarded to the best player in college football and the Lou Marsh Trophy awarded to the Canadian athlete of the year.
“The Lou Marsh, I saw stuff on that actually but I didn’t know too much to be honest,” Hubbard said on Friday. “I really try and not to pay attention to that stuff too much. I just try focusing on the season and winning games.
“All the accolades and stuff after that are obviously a blessing. I’m honoured to even be in the discussion, but I try to not focus too much on that.”
READ MORE: Edmonton-area football player Chuba Hubbard named Big 12 top offensive player of the year
Hubbard will take part in a ceremonial puck drop at Rogers Place before the Edmonton Oilers face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“I keep saying it’s crazy,” Hubbard said speaking to reporters at Rogers Place on Friday. “Obviously it’s a blessing, I never would have pictured myself being in this situation. Obviously I’ve dreamed of it and stuff like that but it’s just a blessing to be here.”
Hubbard won’t be in Sherwood Park for long. The 20-year-old said he leaves Alberta on Dec. 21 because he and his teammates at OSU are preparing to play against Texas A&M in the Texas Bowl on Dec. 27.
Before leaving for Oklahoma, Hubbard was a star in both football and track and field at Sherwood Park’s Bev Facey Community High School.
– With files from Dave Campbell, 630 CHED
Watch below: Some Global News videos about Chuba Hubbard.