Former Monarch signal caller takes CFL center stage

PHOTO. Former Monarchs Quarterback Will Arndt poses with the championship trophy and his Offensive Player of the Game award. Arndt makes his first start for the Ottawa Redblacks of the CFL on Friday, Oct. 21, 2019, against Toronto. Taylor Pope/Rogers Media

Will Arndt is about to start the biggest game of his professional football career.

The former quarterback of the Fort McMurray Monarchs makes his first start for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League.

Arndt said he’s taking it in stride.

“We came back from the bye week, Coach Campbell pulled me aside and told me I’m going to be starting this week, so I said ‘Let’s go do this’.”

Arndt added he hopes to put together a good week of work, so he has some success on game day.

“I’m just really locked in the process of what I need to do to help this team get a win, [and] continue to harp on the little things that lead to a winning culture in Ottawa. We’re just working our way to finding that.”

Arndt played quarterback for the Fort McMurray Monarchs in 2016, guiding them to their first national title.

He also collected Offensive Player of the Game honours.

However, Arndt soon departed the following year to participate in the Edmonton Eskimos’ training camp.

It wasn’t long before he took the field in Ottawa red and black

Despite the Redblacks 3-11 record, Arndt said he’s excited about taking the field.

“[It’s about] being prepared, being able to operate, play with confidence and conviction, and just looking forward to earning my teammates, coaches, [and] front office’s trust and respect. Anything outside of that isn’t my focus.”

Will Arndt and the Redblacks travel to Toronto to play the Argonauts on Oct. 11, 2019.

Arndt featured in the HBO football biopic, Paterno, starring Al Pacino.

Special thanks to 1310 News for their assistance with this article.