Growing up, many young athletes dream about their future as a professional athlete. For most kids, this is always just a dream. For former Northwestern football standout Austin Stubbs, it's become a reality. Stubbs has been playing professional football internationally for three seasons, and he isn't done yet.
 
Following a standout career at UNW, several arena leagues and European teams reached out to the 2017 graduate with interest in him joining their organization. With multiple options on the line, Stubbs made the decision to continue his football career in Europe.
 
The Des Moines, Iowa native has had quite the journey across Europe since parting ways with the Midwest. In his first year following graduation, Stubbs played in Instanbul, Turkey for the Yeditepe Eagles. In 2018 he suited up for the Jagodina Black Hornets in Jagodina, Serbia, and this past 2019 season he spent his time in Walbrzych, Poland playing for the Walbrzych Miners. Stubbs has now began his 2020 campaign with the Montpellier Hurricanes in Montpellier, France.
 
A season ago the Hurricanes finished with a 5-5 record and missed making the playoffs by just seven points. Stubbs is looking to turn this around, and already has his sights set on leading the team to a championship stating, "We have a great group of imports this season with two players from Turkey, one player from Poland and a player from Denmark. Adding these key pieces should help lead the Hurricanes deep into the playoffs and hopefully to a league championship."
 
Stubbs was a lock-down defensive back over his four-year career in a Northwestern uniform, amassing 11 interceptions, 123 tackles, and 8.5 tackles-for-loss. The three-time Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) All-Conference Team member was a crucial part of the first-ever DIII NCAA Playoff berth for the Eagles in 2016. Stubbs rests tied for third in interceptions in a season (6), and his 11 career picks is eighth most in UNW football history.
 
He has since made the switch to the offensive side of the ball, playing quarterback for the Montpellier Hurricanes. Stubbs brings his winning mindset with him everywhere he goes, leading all three teams to the playoffs in their respective leagues each season. Individually, Stubbs was the league MVP Runner-Up while on the Black Hornets, and named to the league's All-Star team playing for the Miners. He was also invited to play for the Europe Warriors, the European All-Star team, who competed against the best team from Mexico.
 
It hasn't all been playoff runs and individual recognition for the 26 year-old. Stubbs faced a devastating fractured pelvis injury while attending Northwestern, and claims that overcoming this and other challenges helped prepare him for the uphill battle of professional sports. Stubbs also credits his family for the never-give-up attitude.
 
He commented, "My grandpa had the biggest influence on my life, impacting me in many ways. He always encouraged me and motivated me to strive for success. He taught me how to work hard in order to achieve the goals I had for myself, just as he did."
 
In addition to his family's support and impact, rejection from many teams has also had a huge impact on Stubbs, motivating him to work harder. He credits the foundation of this beginning during his time at UNW, commenting, "Relationships I have made with players and teams has had a huge impact in providing motivation in a different way. It's made me who I am. It keeps me going."
 
Stubbs played under long-time Eagle football coach, Kirk Talley from 2013-16. Talley remarked on the impact Stubbs had during those years stating, "Austin was one of the better athletes and players to come through Northwestern during my 16 year tenure and probably in the history of the program as well. He's a very competitive young man and it showed on and off the field. He had all the tools to play many positions including quarterback.  We chose to play him at cornerback rather than have him on the sidelines his freshman season. He was ready to make an immediate impact."
 
Stubbs' has his sights set on continuing his football career in Germany or the Canadian Football League (CFL), which are considered to be two of the best professional football leagues behind the NFL. He would like to thank everyone at Northwestern who has supported him through his collegiate and professional football experiences.
 
You can check in with Austin and the Montpellier Hurricanes on their team's Facebook page.