Lord Tweedsmuir football program wins $3,000 grant after 99-yard fumble return

The Lord Tweedsmuir Panthers football program has won a $3,000 grant to buy equipment after a video of a 99-yard touchdown play was selected as the Week 3 NFL Canada Way to Play Award winner. The video shows Panthers linebacker T.J. Hudon returning a fumble 99 yards for a touchdown. His fumble recovery touchdown proved the difference in the team’s 28-22 win over Belmont Secondary School of Vancouver Island on Sept. 18. The video was also featured in a special segment on TSN.ca with NFL analyst and North Delta native Davis Sanchez.

Head coach Michael Carter told the Cloverdale Reporter he had submitted videos to NFL Canada for years in hopes of winning the cash prize, and that this one finally paid off. He said it was “pretty cool” for Hudon to appear on national television, and that the equipment grant would be welcome because running a program is expensive. Carter said the play changed the game’s momentum: Belmont had driven to the Panthers’ 1-yard line when a player knocked the ball loose and Hudon picked it up and ran for the touchdown. Hudon, a Grade 11 student, also plays offence as a tight end and slot receiver. Carter said Hudon is a good player who has spent four years in the program and emerged as a leader the team relies on across offence, defence and special teams. TSN.ca says one submitted video is selected each week during the season to appear on its site and in a special segment during the live NFL broadcast on CTV. Football Canada provided the $3,000 equipment grant. Hudon’s award-winning play is available at tsn.ca/nfl.