In the midday hours on a cold Sunday in Minneapolis, Minn., the U.S. Bank Stadium sidelines were not filled with members of the National Football League’s Minnesota Vikings. It was scattered with athletes representing Indigenous tribes across the United States.

One of those athletes was senior Polson standout and Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribal member Cody Haggard. With the flag of his tribe draped over his back, he prepared for the ensuing drives of a game that only a few select athletes will ever have the honor of attending: the Native All-American Football Game.

 ”I feel like I stood taller than I normally would've,” Haggard said. “I felt, like I said, prideful. I mean, it didn't feel like it was overbearing. I just felt like I was the right man for this job, and I was just out there to show off and represent.”

For Haggard, the opportunity to compete in this game was based on merit. His head coach at Polson, Carson Oakland, was the one who nominated him for the opportunity.

Haggard was one of just five Montana tribal members invited to compete in this game. Among them, he was the only member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe to participate.

“ I was very grateful, 'cause there's quite a few tribes if you think about it, and being the person to represent yours is just, you take great pride in it,” Haggard said. “You're able to represent the people and yourself and your family.”

Along with the game, Haggard received premier coaching and access to connections from former standout collegiate and professional players. One such coach is former Football Championship Series All-American and University of Montana player Levi Horn.

However, Haggard did not play under Horn’s team during the week. He was coached by former NFL Pro Bowler and two-time Football Bowl Series national champion Ahman Green.

“ He's very knowledgeable, but one of the biggest surprises is just how easy he is to talk to,” Haggard said. “He's a big gamer and stuff, so he is easy to relate to on top of multiple other like subjects and stuff. So, it's just kind of crazy to think that he can go from that, and then his performance on the field – he's just one of the best to ever do it.”

Green was running back in the NFL, but that didn’t stop him from influencing Haggard, who played as a defensive end and linebacker during the Native All-American Football Game.

Along with coaching, Haggard got to experience the bright lights of an NFL stadium and the abundance of amenities that come with training there. The Vikings were ranked as the second-highest in the NFL’s yearly report card. This takes into account many factors for how well teams treat their players. The Vikings had multiple “A” rankings, including in facilities, making this experience even more dynamic for a small school kid like Haggard.

“ It's a lot bigger than I even expected,” Haggard said. “I knew it was gonna be huge, but just looking at like the stadiums and how the seats were so slanted. I just imagine if that thing was packed, it would be crazy. Beyond the turf, I mean, that's the best facilities I've ever seen. It's just mind-blowing. I probably still haven't fully taken it in yet.” 

Even as he processes the definitive end to last year’s high school football season, he is focused on the next steps in life.

Haggard is a multi-sport athlete currently competing with the Polson basketball team. For him, the goal of going on and competing in collegiate athletics is a major one. However, he is still focused on the present and competing when it matters most.

And his advice for kids who also have goals like competing in the Native All-American Football Game?

“ It's nice to have those goals, but to get there, you have to have consistency and discipline, going and doing things when you don't want to,” Haggard said. “Just being able to hold yourself accountable when maybe you don't have anybody else to go to the weight room with or to go get that extra rep for whatever sport you're doing.”

As he wraps up his senior year, both on and off the field, the mentality has remained the same for Haggard. Remain disciplined, always keep the present in the foreground and don’t stop trying to help others.

And, on that cold day in December, Haggard helped many by showcasing his state, his school and his tribe.

“Just seeing gradual improvement overall as like a person, and making sure I can help my community,” Haggard said. “Basically, every day just making sure that I did something to improve at least one person's day.”