Tonight, Appalachian State football fans will get to see one of their favorite sons play on national television.

A Monday night audience will watch the Green Bay Packers play at the Denver Broncos on ESPN. Wearing No. 57 for the Packers is Jason Hunter, the former Appalachian State defensive end.

Around these parts, Hunter is known for returning a fumble 15 yards for a touchdown that gave the Mountaineers a 21-16 lead over Northern Iowa in the 2005 championship game. Appalachian State won the game by that score and Hunter became a symbol of the Mountaineers’ first national title.

However, his role has changed with the Packers. Now in his second year with the team, Hunter has evolved into one of Green Bay’s top special teams players.

“I’m just happy to get the opportunity that Green Bay gave me to play on special teams,” Hunter said while attending Appalachian State’s game with Georgia Southern during his off-week. “I’m trying to make the most of my opportunities. It feels good to be out there, coming from Appalachian State to Green Bay, representing us.”

The odds of Hunter sticking with the Packers were long from the beginning. He went undrafted during the 2005 draft, but signed with the Packers as a free agent.

His size and speed made him an ideal candidate for playing special teams. Hunter stands 6-foot-5 and now weighs 265 pounds.

His job covering punts and kickoffs is simple — find the guy who has the ball and flatten him.

“My job is to destroy when I go down field and cause havoc,” Hunter said. “I try to do that every Sunday, every week — to go down there and try to force a fumble or do something that can change the game.”

Defensively, Hunter backs up Cullen Jenkins and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, also known as KGB, at right defensive end. Hunter feels that as the season goes on, he’ll get more playing time on defense.

“There are only 10 games left and the coaches have been telling me to keep working on my technique,” Hunter said. “I think I’ll get some playing time on defense.”

Hunter is part of a Packers team that is 5-1 heading into their showdown with the Broncos.

He’s also glad to be a part of the history of the oldest team in the NFL. He hasn’t made a “Lambeau Leap,” but Hunter appreciates the tradition of the team and the stadium it plays in.

“Lambeau Field is like no other,” Hunter said. “The fans have a lot of passion for the Packers and there is so much tradition. Everybody there is excited about the team and football in general.”

Hunter tries to keep up with the Mountaineers as much as possible. He said he had a “few words” with teammate Charles Woodson, a Michigan graduate, about the Mountaineers’ 34-32 win at The Big House.
“I was so excited. I was jumping up and down in my hotel room screaming.”

Hunter also has had a front-row seat at the reemergence of certain Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre.

“It’s exciting. Everybody is fired up right now,” Hunter said. “Brett brings back that intensity and that excitement, like they have here at Appalachian. That’s how it feels at Lambeau Field.”

Hunter visited Kidd Brewer Stadium during his off-weekend as did Marques Murrell, who visited The Rock when the Eagles had a weekend off.

Hunter is one of three Mountaineers who are in the NFL. Murrell and Baltimore Ravens tight end Daniel Wilcox are the others. Hunter said Kidd Brewer is a special place and the people he sees are the main reason he returns.

“I’m happy to be around the people here and to see us play some good football,” Hunter said. “They’ve got some great fans here and I’m just glad to be back.”

Hunter finished his college career at Appalachian State with 22.5 sacks. His 13 sacks in 2005 tied former teammate Marques Murrell, who had 13 sacks in 2005 and in 2006.

Hunter also had 24.5 tackles for a loss in 2005. He forced six fumbles while at Appalachian State, which is good for 10th on the all-time list.