By Max Campbell
Stampeders.com

One intercepts opposing quarterbacks while the other strums his guitar, but both have mastered the picks in their respective professions.

Stampeders fans may recall that defensive back Keon Raymond suited up for Middle Tennessee State back in 2004, but even the most loyal Red and White supporters may not know he once shared the field with a current country music superstar.

Sam Hunt, best known for his chart-topping singles such as ‘Leave the Night On,’ ‘Take Your Time’ and ‘House Party,’ was a Blue Raider some 11 years ago alongside one of Calgary’s most feared pick-six threats of all time.

“I just knew he was an athletic quarterback, but nobody never really knew he could sing,” Raymond explained. “He was kind of shy so he didn’t talk much, but he was a cool dude. It was shocking once I found out he was one of these big country singers now.”

Up against one another on the practice field each day, the St. Louis product fondly recalled intercepting Hunt on more than one occasion, but was quick to compliment the playing ability of the quarterback-turned singer-songwriter who once attended rookie camp with the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs.

“I got Sam a couple times, and honestly when I was there, I felt he was probably our best quarterback that we had,” offered No. 25, whose pick-six in the 2015 season opener moved him into a first-place tie in the Stamps record books. “Sam was probably about six-foot-three, about 230 (lbs.), and he could run. He was just a stud of an athlete. When you see a Division I quarterback, you see he’s a prototypical guy. (He had a) strong arm, but yeah, I got him a couple times. He was a young sophomore at the time, too, and I was a junior, so I had to get him a couple times.”

While the two former teammates went their separate ways to pursue their respective careers, Raymond does his best to stay up-to-date with the artist who became the first performer in 22 years to simultaneously reach the top of three country music charts.

“I’m subscribed to his YouTube channel and I’ve mentioned him a couple times on Facebook,” said the defender who recorded a remarkable 117-yard interception returned for a touchdown back in 2011. “Even when he came up here for a concert at the Stampede, I couldn’t get a chance to go see him, but I think (defensive line coach) DeVone (Claybrooks) kind of mentioned my name to him. He was like, ‘Oh yeah, I remember Keon! He had the dreadlocks!’ He remembered ‘college Keon’ and it was cool. He invited me to come back to where those guys were staying at. He’s a good dude.”

Raymond never expected the Cedartown, Ga., native to discover fame in the music industry, let alone perform at Nashville’s world-famous Grand Ole Opry as Hunt did in September of 2014.

“No, I would have never thought it,” Raymond remarked on Hunt’s once-hidden talent developing into sensational success. “But dreams come true, and this is something he’s secretly done over the past couple years and he’s getting his acknowledgment for it, so I’m happy for him. But you just never know the people you’re going to encounter in life and you never know what they’re capable of.”