Cody Lindenberg, a standout linebacker for the Gophers, isn’t just focused on his football career—he’s deeply committed to making a difference in his community and honoring a legacy that holds a special place in his heart. When Lindenberg met with his NIL representatives from Team IFA, a Minneapolis-based agency, last offseason, the meeting was meant to discuss potential marketing deals. They planned on securing partnerships with brands like Thousand Hills Cattle Company and Powerade, leveraging Lindenberg’s athletic prowess to bring in some well-deserved income. But Lindenberg had something else on his mind.
“What I really wanted was to keep working with the Dylan Witschen Foundation,” Lindenberg shared with the Pioneer Press. This small foundation, close to Lindenberg's heart, was founded in memory of Dylan Witschen, a former Anoka High School football player who passed away in 2010 from brain cancer. Started by Dylan’s parents, Ed and Debbie, the foundation focuses on raising funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and providing scholarships to Anoka students. Every year, a player from Anoka High School’s football team is given the honor of wearing the No. 7 jersey Dylan once wore, a tradition that keeps his spirit alive.
Lindenberg proudly wore that No. 7 jersey in his senior year of high school, and the experience left a mark on him. While many players move on, looking forward to professional opportunities, Lindenberg has made it clear that giving back to his hometown and supporting cancer research is just as important as his NFL aspirations.
To put his commitment into action, Lindenberg and Team IFA devised the "Tackles for Dylan" campaign to benefit the foundation. This season, every tackle Lindenberg makes brings a donation to the foundation, thanks to sponsors like real estate agent Isaac Johnson, who pledged $25 per tackle, up to $2,500. With 58 tackles and counting, the campaign has already raised over $4,295, and fans can still join in at pledgeit.org. As Lindenberg heads into the final stretch of the season, his commitment remains unwavering.
For Lindenberg, the No. 7 jersey is more than just a piece of fabric; it represents compassion, determination, and a legacy he deeply respects. Over the years, 14 players have worn No. 7 for the Anoka Tornadoes, but none have carried it into Division I football quite like Lindenberg. His journey from Anoka High to the University of Minnesota’s football team is one-of-a-kind, and it’s no surprise that he became the first recipient of the No. 7 jersey to play at this level. For Ed Witschen, watching Lindenberg’s journey has been emotional. “Cody is what Dylan would have been, I think, in my mind,” Ed shared, drawing comparisons between his son and Lindenberg’s similar physical traits, blonde hair, and dedication to football.
“Cody would talk to me and my wife about Dylan,” Ed Witschen continued, touched by how much Cody respects and remembers Dylan. When Lindenberg launched his Tackles for Dylan campaign, he chose the Witschen family’s Riversbend Bar & Grill in Ramsey for the event, further solidifying the bond he has with the Witschen family and the Anoka community.
For Lindenberg, football was more than just a sport growing up; it was a calling. From a young age, he dabbled in nearly every sport he could—basketball, baseball, track and field. But it was in high school that his focus zeroed in on football, despite some rough patches along the way. His junior year brought a freak injury that could have sidelined him. During a punt, one of his teammates accidentally kicked him in the midsection, leading to a fractured rib. Still, Lindenberg powered through a game before the pain became too much to bear. “Eventually, I was like, I can’t do this anymore,” he admitted. “That was way too wickedly painful.”
By his senior year, he was everywhere on the field, playing multiple positions: safety, wide receiver, quarterback, and running back. That versatility speaks to the all-in attitude that Lindenberg brings to everything he does, whether it's playing football or supporting a cause close to his heart.
Lindenberg’s character and drive are rooted in the values his parents, Ron and Kristi Haight, instilled in him. His mother, Kristi, known as an “energizer bunny,” is someone who will strike up a conversation with anyone, even strangers at a store. Cody often marvels at her openness. “Mom, leave this poor person alone,” he sometimes thinks when he sees her in action. But he acknowledges it’s genuine; she’s simply someone who cares deeply about the people around her. That warmth and care have rubbed off on Cody, who takes the time to connect with others in a similar way.
Ron, his dad, recalls Cody’s enthusiasm for playing at the University of Minnesota. He remembers a young Cody posing for pictures with Goldy the Gopher, showing a clear love for his hometown team. And it wasn’t just the team; the whole experience of representing Anoka and honoring Dylan’s legacy means the world to him.
Every player bestowed with the No. 7 jersey has to demonstrate seven qualities that defined Dylan: compassion, giving, team player, determination, strength, leadership, and confidence. To earn the honor, players write essays during their junior year, explaining how they embody these traits. Lindenberg remembers the pride he felt when he received the jersey. “It was awesome when I got it,” he said. “You get to read through all the previous letters to see different ways people talked about the guys before them and after them.”
Lindenberg’s dedication doesn’t stop with his foundation work or the field; it’s in every area of his life. Despite setbacks from injuries that took him out of the game for most of 2021 and 2023, he has persevered and kept his faith strong. He earned a kinesiology degree and is now working on a master’s in sport and exercise science, a path not many college athletes take. His devotion to personal growth and education is something he encourages in others, especially younger players.
One such player is Maverick Baranowski, who looks up to Lindenberg as a mentor. “Last year, I was a young guy, and that is like my big brother,” Baranowski said. “We do everything together. He was like a big mentor. … It’s great to have just a great leader and a great person next to me that betters me in every area of my life.”
Through the ups and downs of his career, Lindenberg’s connection to the Witschen family has been a constant source of motivation. He knows that his story is about more than football; it’s about resilience, loyalty, and honoring those who paved the way. As he finishes this season with the Gophers, he’s grateful for the opportunities both on and off the field.
In every tackle, every snap, and every interaction, Lindenberg honors the legacy of Dylan Witschen. His story isn’t just about one man’s journey in football; it’s about the impact of community, the power of giving back, and the profound bonds that transcend sports. And as long as he’s able, Lindenberg plans to carry forward the spirit of the No. 7 jersey—one tackle at a time.
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