By Geoff Crane
Stampeders.com

When Bryant Moniz finished up his collegiate career at the University of Hawaii, he had no idea where his future in football would be, let alone that he would be trading flip-flops for Sorels.

While the weather, and a completely new style of game,  is taking some getting used to, getting back into a locker room and being surrounded by fellow football players once again has the CFL rookie feeling right at home.

“I’m really appreciating the brotherhood and camaraderie we have in this locker room,” says Moniz, who has been able to make his mark on the team with a little Hawaiian flair.

For anyone who has taken in the Stampeders’ pre-game warm-up ritual this year, you may have noticed a twist on the team’s group huddle after their stretches.

Originally a time where the players would huddle in close while a veteran led a chant to get the emotions flowing, this year’s chant has been substituted with a hybrid excerpt of the traditional Polynesian warrior dance, the haka, led by Moniz.

“I got stuck with that role after I gave them a good rookie show,” says Moniz who notes the dance is a big part of his home’s culture.

“I did one in our rookie show and the guys got all hyped up and were ready to play so they said ‘We gotta do that every time!’ It’s a little hard for all the guys to learn, so we just do a bit of it and it gets the guys jacked up and ready to play.”

However, Moniz wasn’t brought on to the team for his cheerleading skills. A collegiate standout from time with the University of Hawaii’s Warriors, Moniz knows how to get things done on the field.

When he left the NCAA, Moniz was the third all-time on the schools passing yards list (10,169), passing touchdowns (75) and total offence (10,681).

He also was the 11th quarterback in NCAA history to throw for more than 5,000 yards in a single season and tied an NCAA record, throwing seven touchdowns in one half against UC Davis.

Moniz hopes to build on that success in the CFL and is grateful to have landed in Calgary, where there is no shortage of mentorship at the position.

With many differences in the way the game is played in the CFL as opposed to American four-down football, Moniz has found the learning curve steep but praises is teammates in Bo Levi Mitchell and Drew Tate along with coaches Dave Dickenson and John Hufnagel – both successful former CFL quarterbacks – with helping him to catch on.

Recently, he has had an opportunity to put that knowledge into action moving to short-yardage quarterback behind Tate when Mitchell went down with an injury a few weeks ago.

“Getting to get in the game, it was exciting to be live and being able to get hit,” says Moniz. “I know a lot of guys don’t like to get hit but it makes you feel like a real football player when you get tackled, so it’s exciting. I just have to do my part to make sure I am ready when my number gets called and I look forward to doing more.”

Football aside, the Hawaiian native has been taking in some of the unique features Canada, and specifically Calgary weather, has to offer.

During October’s bye week, Moniz has his family in town, visiting Canada for the first time. Trip plans include a trip to Banff with the hopes that the Moniz family can find some snow, something Bryant experienced for the first time in his life during September’s surprise blizzard.

“I took it in like a little kid, I was very excited to see it,” says Moniz who is doing all he can to ensure he adjusts to the cold if he hopes to have a successful Canadian football career. 

“A lot of guys told me that’s nothing, it’s still yet come so I’m trying to prepare myself mentally for it.”

For now, Calgary’s unique weather aside, Moniz is grateful to be playing football again and is focused on doing his part to help propel the Stamps towards a Grey Cup victory in 2014.

“Being through all the football levels,” says Moniz, “when you finish your season in high school or college, you don’t know if that’s your last snap.

“The one thing I think you miss the most when you’re not playing football is just being around the guys. That’s been the biggest thing for me and I’m glad to be back on the field, glad to be playing football.

“We have a great coaching staff and we’re having a great season and I’m glad to be part of this organization.”