Skip to main content

Toronto Argonauts Kevin Huntley runs drills during practice in Mississauga, June 6, 2011.J.P. MOCZULSKI

Kevin Huntley feels sick to his stomach when he remembers the Toronto Argonauts' 2010 East Division final loss to the Montreal Alouettes, disgusted by the way he played and the way he looked.

Overweight and performing below his own standards, the defensive tackle said the memory of that infuriating 48-17 loss pushed him to lose about 40 pounds in the off-season. The 6-foot-8 lineman reported to Argos training camp Sunday without the belly he carried last season, and said he now weighs 290 pounds.

"I was like, man, I've got to make a change, because this is not conducive to being the best that I can be," Huntley said after Sunday's practice at the University of Toronto Mississauga. "I don't want to be in any way, shape or form in any fashion the way I looked or was in that game."

Huntley said the weight gain continued in the off-season as he struggled through three surgeries. He injured his right shoulder late last season and needed two surgeries in January and February to correct it. Doctors inserted a metal plate to fix the damaged humerus bone in his arm. He also had a knee operation.

"It was rough, man. I had to spend 10 weeks in a sling," Huntley said of the shoulder surgery. "I couldn't sleep. It was the worst thing I ever had, I think. But it made me stronger. It didn't kill me."

So Huntley committed himself to losing weight, starting with a month-long protein-only diet. He said he ate a steak each day, egg whites, turkey and chicken, was strict about cutting all carbohydrates, and lost upward of 15 pounds in four weeks. He said he then began adding vegetables and, slowly, other foods, in moderation, and remains diligent about counting calories.

"Every once in a while, I snuck a little bag of candy, maybe some M&M's" the 29-year-old Huntley laughed. "But, for the most part, I was good. I still want to lose some more weight. The way I ended the season last year, I don't want no part of that."

Despite Huntley's feelings about the last game of the season, the Washington, D.C., native was named both an East Division and CFL all-star in 2010. He started 14 regular-season games and led the Argos in sacks with nine.

Now, he finds himself in an increased leadership role as part of a changing defensive line. Two key tackles are gone: Adriano Belli retired in the off-season and Eric Taylor signed as a free agent with the B.C. Lions.

"One of the things I told him is, for an 18-game season, you have to be in a different kind of shape, and he took it to heart," head coach Jim Barker said. "Kevin Huntley is the anchor of what we do. When he's in there, whoever is at nose guard is a better player, and Kevin knows that."

He eased back into practice Sunday, doing some drills but sitting out others as a precautionary measure. He has been rehabilitating the shoulder during the off-season and continues to do so aggressively each day. Barker is being cautious with Huntley's shoulder in camp, aiming to have him play a few snaps in the first preseason game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on June 18 and a half game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the second exhibition the following week.

"I don't feel my stomach moving around when I do stuff any more, so I'm back to my sexy days," Huntley said with a laugh. "I did some one-on-one [drills] and I felt quick. The real test will be in the games."

Follow related authors and topics

Authors and topics you follow will be added to your personal news feed in Following.

Interact with The Globe