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It’s not a return to his hometown of Prattville, Ala., but Derrick Moncrief feels like he’s at home in Saskatchewan.
The 29-year-old Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker said it was an easy decision to come back to the Land of Living Skies to continue playing football.
“It’s the home field and everyone embracing you as a football player — and as a person too,” Moncrief said of what American players experience when they move to Regina.
“Just being a leader on and off the field, getting in the community and doing community work, people grow to you and you become a part of the city.”
It’s also the place Moncrief has chosen to put down roots; he met his now-fiancee, Kasia Kazeil, in Regina in 2019.
“It’s a blessing from above. Blessings up to God for connecting us through life’s journey and I’m blessed to have her in my life,” Moncrief said in advance of Friday’s game against the Ottawa Redblacks (7:30 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).
“She was always supportive and every day (we were) just praying. We went through the whole pandemic without seeing each other for almost a year, so that was very tough.
“We stuck it out and kept praying and God blessed us.”
Moncrief got his first taste of the Queen City when he signed his first CFL contract with the Roughriders in 2017. That was the Alabama product’s first foray into Canada.
“It was a culture shock. I had never been out here before but I got adjusted to it,” Moncrief said. “But I’m still trying to warm up to poutine a little bit.”
The longer he stayed in Regina, the more it reminded him of being home in Prattville — a city of 37,781, according to the 2020 U.S. census.
“Everybody embraces the football (in Regina) and it feels like a big family (just like Prattville),” Moncrief said.
Moncrief emerged as one of the CFL’s top defenders in his first three seasons in Saskatchewan, with a breakout coming in 2019. That year, he recorded 69 tackles, four sacks and three interceptions.
After that season, he was given a chance to chase his dream of playing in the NFL in 2019. When the Las Vegas Raiders offered him a contract, he admits it was tough to leave behind a city he had grown to love.
“It was just a part of my process and a part of my journey and I’m very thankful for it,” Moncrief said. “I was very grateful (for the NFL opportunity) just representing so many people — my family, my city — and I was very blessed to be a part of that.
“I learned to persevere and continue to be a pro and just count the days as blessings.”
Moncrief was waived by the Raiders before the 2020 season but signed with the Los Angeles Rams. He spent much of his time there on the practice roster, but he did appear in one game for the Rams.
He was released from his NFL contract in August 2021.
As he sat and pondered his next move, it soon became clear after coming across a photo from his time in the CFL.
“I was sitting at home and I was praying and fasting and a vision came back to me to be in Saskatchewan, but it didn’t happen like that,” Moncrief said.
“I saw this picture of this fan and it was a fan in Pil Country and he was holding a (defence sign) and he was wearing a Moncrief jersey and it dawned on me that this was the place I’m really supposed to be at.”
The Riders also had interest in getting Moncrief back in green and white, but with the 2021 CFL season already underway, they couldn’t make the move work. Instead, he signed with the Edmonton Elks and played nine games with them.
“The opportunity came with Edmonton and they paid some money and I wanted to make sure I secured for myself and my family too,” Moncrief said.
Even though he didn’t play a full season, he was named the Elks’ most outstanding defensive player after recording 23 tackles and four sacks.
“I feel like I didn’t play my best ball. I was still trying to transition and lose weight and get back into the playing shape of the CFL,” Moncrief said.
When the opportunity to return to Saskatchewan came this past off-season, Moncrief knew it was the only place he wanted to be.
“I always wanted to be here. (I) just had to understand business was business last year,” Moncrief said at his introductory media conference. “I’m just grateful to be here this year and ready to be here long term and hopefully retire as a Rider.”
He has been making his mark on Regina since returning, getting opportunities to go out in the community and meet people.
“It means everything (with) me coming from a small city and coming from everything — the struggle and poverty. So to be able to reach back and be a positive light in people’s life, that’s what it’s all about,” Moncrief said.
It would mean a lot for him to win a Grey Cup in the city he has adopted as his own.
“It would mean everything — all the hard work, all these years of blood, sweat and tears, all the late nights and early mornings. I think it’s going to come to fruition and we’ve just got to continue to put the work in,” Moncrief said.