Former Panther football player John Moyer is continuing his dream, after spending two years in the blue and white uniforms at Eastern from 1995 to 1996.

Moyer is currently a starting guard and defensive tackle for the Chicago Rush, a team in the Arena Football League. He said getting paid to do the thing he loves makes this a great experience for him.

“As far as the experience, anytime you can continue on after college and play a sport you love while making a living, doing it is amazing,” Moyer said.

Moyer, a second-team all-Ohio Valley Conference selection in 1996, gives credit to Eastern head coach Bob Spoo’s system for part of his current success with the Rush.

“Anyone who is brought up in their system becomes a better athlete,” Moyer said. “I loved Coach Spoo and (Roy) Wittke. They were two great individuals and great to play for.”

Moyer had to make a big transition moving from college to the arena league. At Eastern, he was primarily a defensive end but took on both offensive and defensive responsibilities when he entered the league four years ago with the Florida Bobcats. He said his athleticism is what got him recruited to Eastern in the first place.

“It was (difficult) at first, but when I was recruited by coach Wittke, it was because he liked athletic people,” Moyer said.

Before Moyer began his career in the AFL, he had a short stint with the Indianapolis Colts. He made it down to the final cuts in training camp, but was unable to make the final roster.

“That was an incredible experience to be in an NFL training camp.” Moyer said. “It was a dream of mine just to be looked at and participate with a team.”

Moyer made 13 appearances with Florida in his first season, but was hampered by an ankle injury in his second season and only played in eight games.

In 2001 he had his breakout year by tying for team lead in sacks with four and was named “Ironman of the Game” July 8 against Orlando after catching two touchdown passes and making three tackles.

Moyer returned near his hometown of Orangeville when he was drafted by Chicago in the first round of the dispersal draft, Dec. 10, 2002, after the Bobcats disbanded. He was happy to be able to come back and share his experience with his family.

“My mother and father go to every game and they are my biggest fans,” Moyer said. “I bought 14 season tickets for the rest of my family. They are all supportive and love it that I play near home.”

Moyer earned second-team All-Arena honors and was a finalist for Lineman of the Year in his first season with Chicago. He tied for the league lead in fumbles forced with four and tied career highs in both tackles (21) and sacks (four).

This season, the Rush have started slowly by dropping their first two games of the season. Moyer is optimistic the team will come back to the form last year’s team that advanced to the semifinals of the playoffs.

“We just have to continue on with what we have been working on,” Moyer said. “Our defense hasn’t been bad, and once that spark hits the gas I think that we will explode. It’s better to be in that slump earlier in the year.”