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Former Middie, RedHawk hopes to make most of chance in NFL

Defensive back Darrell Hunter wants to win a spot with Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

File photo Former Middletown and Miami standout Darrell Hunter is hoping to earn a spot in the NFL on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' roster.

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By Skip Weaver, Staff Writer Updated 11:06 AM Thursday, September 3, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — Darrell Hunter is hoping the third time is his charm.

The former Middletown High School football and track star signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 21. It is his third stint with the NFL franchise.

“It’s really a crazy story,” Hunter said in a telephone interview Wednesday, Sept. 2. “I had gone to Orlando (Fla.) for a tryout with the UFL team and was on my way back on the plane when my agent called and said I was going to sign with the Bucs.”

Hunter, who entered the league out of Miami University in 2006 as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals, first appeared with Tampa Bay’s practice squad on two occasions during the 2007 season. He also suited up for the Bucs’ 2008 preseason and contributed 10 tackles before being released.

Hunter, a 5-foot-11, 211-pound defensive back, also had a stint in the Canadian Football League with the Edmonton Eskimos.

“It’s just something you can’t explain,” Hunter said. “When you have something you love to do so much and feel like it might be over. It’s just a blessing to have this opportunity again.”

Hunter will try to make the best of this opportunity when he suits up with the rest of his teammates for the Bucs’ final preseason contest at 7 p.m. Friday night against Houston Texans.

“I’m treating this like my Super Bowl,” Hunter said. “It’s a good situation here. Hopefully this will be it.”

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