Veteran Derrick Moncrief brings leadership to the Stampeders defence

The Calgary Stampeders will play their first pre-season game on Monday. One veteran on defence is really looking to get into some game action.

Family has always been important to Stampeders defensive back/Sam Linebacker Derrick Moncrief.

He has a lot of siblings, six brothers and sisters in all. Moncrief says his family is very close.

“Family is everything”, said the product of Prattville, Ala.

“From Alabama it’s a long ways and I try to represent for them. My dad put a football in my hand when I was five years old and I fell in love with the game ever since.”

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Moncrief has played for the Elks and the Riders but this year, he joins a new CFL family. He signed with the Stampeders in the offseason and says it was a no brainer.

“I always wanted to be part of a championship organization, and we got the call. My agent made the call to me and said Calgary was interested and I knew right off the bat it was the perfect fit for me.”

‘You can feel the leadership’

Moncrief had shoulder surgery a few years ago. He turns 32 on June 25 and says he feels great entering his eighth CFL season.

“I feel the best I’ve felt in five years. I’m turning 32 now but nothing gets old but clothes,” he said with a laugh.

Head coach Dave Dickenson says he likes what Moncrief brings to the table.

“He’s a big man, he’s smart and he hits. You can feel the leadership,” Dickenson said.

Part of that leadership is being vocal on the football field. Linebacker Gary Johnson Jr. played with Moncrief in Saskatchewan and says he changes on the football field.

“He’s a talkative guy. He’s quiet when he doesn’t have the pads on but when the pads come on he gets riled up and he gets me going,” Johnson Jr. said.

“I always learned you’ve got to be vocal on the football field,” said Moncrief.

“If you’re not talking you’re wrong and that’s the thing about it. Playing defensive back or linebacker you’ve got to be able to be the leader on the defence and try to dictate things before they happen.”

June is a big month for Moncrief. He and his wife are expecting their second child, a girl, on June 6. Then on June 25, Moncrief turns 32.

The Stamps play their first pre-season game on Monday when they travel to Langford, B.C. to take on the Lions.