Cody Hodges

Cody Hodges (born November 20, 1982) is a philanthropist, motivational speaker, and former professional American football player, playing in the National Football League, Arena Football League. Hodges is best known for his one season as the starting quarterback for the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the 2005 season. He led the team to the Cotton Bowl Classic and a 9–3 overall record. He was the 3rd straight fifth year senior to start for Mike Leach and Texas Tech and was also the second West Texas native to take the Quarterback reigns in the Leach era, along with predecessor Sonny Cumbie.

College career
Hodges redshirted his first year at Texas Tech in 2001 and played in a total of seven games the next three years before becoming the starter for his senior year.

2005
Hodges won the starting job for the 2005 season, beating out redshirt freshman Graham Harrell. He started out the year in stellar fashion, putting up big time numbers in blowout wins over Florida International 56-3, Indiana State 63-7, and Sam Houston State 80-21. Hodges drew controversy for saying that he believed Tech's offense was good enough to "score 100 points." Big 12 play started and he led the Red Raiders to wins over Kansas 30-20, and then had the best game of his career, throwing for 646 yards in a 59-20 win over Kansas State. Tech then went to Lincoln Nebraska where he threw a 23 yard touchdown pass to Joel Filani with less than 20 seconds to snap Nebraska's 36 year homecoming winning streak. Then Hodges faced off with # 1 Texas Longhorns and Vince Young, Hodges had the Raiders in an early lead in Austin, but could not keep up the momentum as Tech suffered their first loss, 52-17. Then came wins over rivals Baylor 28-0, and Texas A&M 56-17. A signature moment came when Hodges threw a 10 yard completion to his twin brother, Inside Receiver Slade Hodges, and later witnessed his brother catch a touchdown pass from Graham Harrell. Tech was later upset by Oklahoma State 24-17, but Tech rebounded to defeat Oklahoma 23-21 in another close and exciting game, giving the Red Raider a regular season record of 9-2, and a Big 12 record of 6-2, giving them second place overall and an invitation to the Cotton Bowl. Hodges led the nation in passing, making him the 4th consecutive Tech QB to lead the nation in passing.

Cotton Bowl Classic
Hodges led the 9-2 (6-2 in Big 12 play) Red Raiders, ranked #18 in the AP Poll and #1 in total offense, to the 2006 Cotton Bowl Classic to play the #13 Alabama Crimson Tide, ranking #1 in scoring defense and #2 in total defense. Hodges, statistically, had his worst game as a starter, completing only 15 of 32 passes for 196 yards and one touchdown. He was also Tech's leading rusher, gaining 66 yards on 17 carries. Texas Tech eventually lost 13-10 and ended the season with a 9–3 overall record and #20 in the AP Poll.

Tennessee Titans
Despite a successful 2006 season, Hodges went undrafted in the 2006 NFL Draft. However, Hodges was signed and later released by the Tennessee Titans. He came second to the top pick of the Tennessee Titans Vince Young.

Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz
Once the quarterback for the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz.

Fort Wayne Fusion
In 2007, Hodges was the quarterback for the Fort Wayne Fusion of af2. Hodges was named the Schutt Offensive Player of the Game during Week 1 of the af2 season for his performance against the Green Bay Blizzard. He later ended his season due to injury.

Rachel's Challenge Work
Hodges, having viewed a presentation from Rachel's Challenge, an organization dedicated to abolishing prejudice and promoting kindness and good deeds, was inspired to join the organization as a speaker at age 20.

Personal
Hodges is married, lives in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex, when not traveling the country with Rachel's challenge.