As he tackles cancer, University of Saskatchewan Huskies’ star quarterback Anton Amundrud can count on boundless support from his hometown of Lloydminster.
Former teammates and coaches from the Border City are among the many people rallying behind the 23-year-old Amundrud, especially since news broke this week that he’s been diagnosed with a form of cancer called lymphoma.
“We are sending our best to Anton and his family,” said Kieran Link, the head coach of the Lloydminster Comprehensive High School Barons.
“Anton oozes charisma and is incredibly tough. He’s ready to face this challenge head-on.”
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Although it’s been five years since he graduated from the Barons, Amundrud is still remembered as one of the best football players ever to come out of Lloyd.
“He was our quarterback the last time we won the provincial championship,” Link said. “He’s a natural leader, tough, competitive and fun to be around. He was a Canada West (conference) all-star this year, even while missing several games.
“Anton is a consummate teammate, and the entire country is behind him in this fight.”
His current team, the Huskies, will fight for a U Sports national championship berth at home Saturday, albeit with heavy hearts and without one of the nation’s most dynamic university quarterbacks.
The U of S will host the Ontario-champion Queen’s Gaels in a national semifinal, the Mitchell Bowl, at Griffiths Stadium.
The Huskies have played the latter part of the fall without Amundrud, a fourth-year pivot who had stepped away from the team five games into the season.
As recently as this Tuesday, his Huskies teammates learned of Amundrud’s cancer diagnosis and that he would begin treatment immediately.
The news not only hit his own team hard, but also the greater football community across Canada.
In the Bridge City, the Saskatoon Hilltops had just celebrated winning the Canadian Junior Football League championship Sunday on their home turf.
Ryden Gratton, another graduate of the Lloydminster Comprehensive football program, kicked the winning field goal with just 28 seconds left as the Hilltops defeated the previously unbeaten Okanagan Sun of Kelowna, B.C., 21-18 in the national final.
Gratton and Hilltops receiver Xander Pierce are a few years younger than Amundrud, but all three of them were teammates for parts of their high school stints with the Barons. Pierce also played alongside Amundrud for two years with the Huskies, before joining the Hilltops in 2024.
Gratton and Pierce, current U of S students, have looked up to Amundrud as a football role model from their high school and their home community.
“It’s a terrible thing,” Gratton, 21, said about Amundrud’s health setback. “I can’t believe that’s happening to him. It’s so sad.
“I mean, everyone knows he’s a great football player, but he’s an even better person.
“I knew he was super sick, because obviously he didn’t dress the last few games. (Before then), he was starting quarterback there and had a really good year.”
Amundrud’s conference-best numbers this season included 14 touchdown passes, no interceptions, and an average of 321 passing yards per game. He led the Huskies (now 9-1) to a 4-1 start.
Amundrud, six-foot-three and 210 pounds, attended the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ CFL training camp this year.
Hometown Huskie Jake Farrell has stepped into the starting quarterback position in the absence of Amundrud, who has been the U of S starter since 2023.
In a statement, Huskies head coach Scott Flory said it’s been an emotional week for the U of S football team since news about Amundrud circulated.
“He is a remarkable young man, on and off the field, and we know that he will fight this disease with everything he’s got,” Flory said. “We know we have an important game to play Saturday, but our players are processing the news as we focus on Anton’s well-being.
“We also know Anton wants nothing more than to be fighting with us on the field. We understand that and we will be ready, focused, energized and prepared to play Huskie football.
“Anton has the full love and support of our entire football family.”
A GoFundMe account has been established in support of Amundrud and his family. As of noontime Friday, almost $40,000 had been raised through donations.
“We are incredibly grateful for every person who has prayed, shared, donated, or held Anton in their thoughts,” reads part of the message from Amundrud’s family.
“Your kindness and support have given us strength on the days that feel impossible.”
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