Hunter Goodwin’s NFL career was not glamorous. He caught just 37 passes and two touchdowns while playing eight seasons as a tight end for Minnesota and Miami. But he stayed in the league for eight years by focusing on being a team player and doing the important, often-unrecognized dirty work in the trenches that made his team’s offense better.

He gained so much respect for his efforts that teammates and coaches often referred to him as a sixth offensive lineman. And ESPN analyst Merril Hoge in 2000 reportedly called Goodwin the best blocking tight end in the league, saying he could block any defensive end without assistance.

Goodwin’s journey to the NFL began with with Texas A&M-Kingsville. He then walked on to the football team at Texas A&M. He starred there for two years as an All-Southwest Conference offensive tackle. And when Goodwin left, he was on his way toward an agricultural economics degree and a he had earned a shot with the Vikings.

Goodwin attributes his success in the NFL to grit and determination. He’s working just as hard in the decade-plus since he left football behind, establishing himself as a player in the real estate industry and filling his time with several community- and charity-based endeavors. Goodwin recently took some time with Zoneblitz.com to reflect on his football days and give an update on how what he’s been doing since moving on from the game.

Zoneblitz: You’re the president of Oldham Goodwin Group (he along with partner Casey Oldham, another Texas A&M graduate, were co-honored by the Better Business Bureau in 2010 as “boss of the year”). What is your company’s focus and what is your role?

Hunter Goodwin: My company’s focus us summed up in our mission statement: Maximize value creation for all stakeholders by providing integrated commercial real estate services to select market segments.  We have a distinct accessible expertise and connection with our target markets.

Zoneblitz: What post-NFL route took you here and what are your future goals?

Goodwin: The route that led me to my current profession actually happened while I played. I invested in commercial real estate holdings. My future goals are to continue to grow a reputable company in the commercial real estate sector, with a focus on central Texas.

Zoneblitz: You’ve been on the City of College Station Design Review Board – what does that do and why were you interested?

Goodwin: I am very involved day to day with the City and city officials and due to my construction/development knowledge, I was appointed to the position by City Council. My interest revolves around my industry knowledge, which is required to be effective in the capacity of this board’s service.

Zoneblitz: I’ve also read that you are connected to several charitable and volunteer activities, such as Habitat for Humanity, the Special Olympics and the Cystic Fibrosis foundation. Did I miss any? And what is your motivation here?

Goodwin: I am the current Chairman of the Board for the Bryan-College Station Convention and Visitors Bureau. I have served on the general board for many years, but was elected by my fellow board members to chair in 2009. My activity with the CVB is largely motivated by my investment in tourism (owning hotels), and a passion for tourism.

I currently serve on a board for Scotty’s House, which focuses on abused children. I was motivated to join this group and help on their building committee many years ago, once again due to my construction knowledge, contacts within each city (Bryan and College Station) and name recognition to raise awareness, problem solve, and utilize my relationships with both cities for the greater good of our purpose at Scotty’s house.

I believe in our mission and what we do and I think it makes a huge difference in my community, as well as surrounding communities that we serve.

I’m also the current president of the Texas A&M Lettermen’s Association as well for 2012. I was also voted by membership as their president.  My passion for this is my tie back to alumni, former Lettermen and the greatest University in the world, Texas A&M.

I volunteer with Special Olympics. I have a cousin with Cerebral Palsy and he is my motivation. I also do some work with FCA, my motivation there was perpetuating a positive program that had a positive impact on me as a human being.

Zoneblitz: When did you start preparing for your career after football?

Goodwin: I started preparing for my career after football while I was playing.  I worked really hard to make important relationships during my collegiate career. Now many of those contacts have become clients and customers.  Also, I started doing development projects during my playing career and I believe this was critical with respect to successfully transitioning to “life after the game.”

Zoneblitz: You went from a walk-on at Texas A&M to an eight-year NFL career. What made that happen?

Goodwin: Grit, determination and great coaches:  Juan Castillo, Mike Sherman and Jimmy Johnson to name a few. And I had great supportive parents.

Zoneblitz: As a Minnesotan, I remember you from the 1998 Vikings team that broke all sorts of records. What was that season like and what are a couple of your best memories from playing in the NFL?

Goodwin: 1998 was a phenomenal year. It was my favorite of my career. We had great leadership on that team and an honest belief that we could beat anyone. Head Coach Dennis Green did a fantastic job that year. My best memory was beating Green Bay in Green Bay several times and lighting up the Dallas Cowboys in 1998 on Thanksgiving day. They were an old team and we beat the hell out of them at home, pretty fun for a kid from Texas to do that.

Zoneblitz: I know you’ve been involved in calling Texas A&M football games? Do you still do that and do you maintain other connections to football?

Goodwin: Yes, I am part owner of the number one fan site in Aggieland called Texags.com. I do a pre-game radio show for all Texas A&M football games and I also write an article as well.

Zoneblitz: What do you miss about playing football and how were you able to successfully move on from the game?

Goodwin: I miss some of my teammates; I miss the unity and closeness of a locker room. I miss the intoxication of game day. I was successful in my transition largely due to my constant investment going all the way back to college. I did NOT wait for it all to end. I always realized it would end and could end at any time and planned accordingly.

Zoneblitz: What else keeps you busy these days?

Goodwin: I love my kids and enjoy teaching my son how to hunt, fish and have a passion for the outdoors.

Zoneblitz: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Goodwin: I would love to write a book someday about how to successfully transition from the NFL to life after. I have learned some valuable things that I think would benefit others on how this is done. I do NOT feel sorry for those that played in the NFL and lost it all. You are responsible for your choices and I could have told you in 30 seconds or less who would be broke and who would be successful. The NFL is a cherished honor, NOT an entitled right. Those that treat it as an honor do well both during and after, those that treat it as an entitlement exit early and struggle eternally.