North Bay's Ryan Hunter is a CFL All-Star.
The 28-year-old Algonquin Barons alum was one of eight Toronto Argonauts as part of the 27-player 60th annual Canadian Football League All-Star team.
The season’s best were selected by 41 members of the Football Reporters of Canada, the league’s nine head coaches and fans who took part in this year’s All-Star Fan Vote powered by the league’s Official Data and Technology partner, Genius Sports.
The 2023 CFL All-Stars included 16 first-timers including Hunter.
Joining Hunter, who plays guard, are quarterback Chad Kelly, centre Darius Ciraco, tackle Dejon Allen, linebackers Wynton McManis and Adarius Pickett, defensive back Robertson Daniels and special-teams dynamo Javon Leake.
The Toronto Argonauts lead all teams with eight selections.
Hunter, Ciraco, and Allen anchored a Toronto offensive line that allowed a CFL-low 19 sacks.
See related: Ryan Hunter signs with CFL's Argonauts
See related: North Bay's Hunter hoists the Grey Cup
Hunter, who was drafted by the Argos in 2018, joined the Argos early last fall after being released by the Los Angeles Chargers who had signed him in 2020 where he spent time on the practice roster. He was released in August of 2022.
Hunter, who played college football at Bowling Green, has dressed for three career NFL games, and aside from his time with the Chargers, he spent two seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs winning a Super Bowl in early 2020.
The North Bay native is one of only a dozen players who have won both a Super Bowl and a Grey Cup.
Last fall, Hunter's Toronto Argonauts defeated Mike O'Shea's Winnipeg Blue Bombers 24-23 to win the 109th Grey Cup as the Argos won a record 18th Grey Cup.
The Argos are a favourite to repeat as Grey Cup champions again in 2023, finished the year with an impressive 16-2 record and first overall in the CFL regular season standings.
The Argos host the Montreal Alouettes in the East Final on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. at BMO Field.
With files from the Canadian Press
