He’s never needed the recognition to be a leader.

Since joining the Stampeders as a free agent in 2014, Joshua Bell has been an energetic, enthusiastic, talented member of the team’s defence.

His teammates haven’t turned a blind eye to his leadership abilities and have chosen him to be the Stamps’ defensive captain.

“I think it’s one of the highest honours ever in football to be named by your peers that you go to work with every day as a captain,” said Bell.

Over his four years with the team, Bell has 133 defensive tackles, three interceptions, a forced fumble and a Grey Cup ring from the 2014 season.

Entering his first season as a captain, Bell doesn’t plan to change anything. He wants to continue to be a safety net for other players to lean on when they make mistakes.

“I’m going to do the same thing I always do,” Bell said. “I go to work, try to be the best teammate that I can be, communicate well with the man to my left or right. Just be a free safety, really. Wherever anyone makes a mistake, I can be there to fix it so they don’t get a touchdown and we get another play to live.”

Known for his pre-game antics — dancing throughout the entirety of the Stamps warm-up period — Bell was the one responsible for last year’s face-painting by the entire defensive back unit.

He’s set on bringing it back this year, keeping the tradition going, and making it a Calgary thing.

“Oh yeah, baby, that’s a staple now,” Bell said through a big grin. “We’ve got a couple more young guys that are excited to get in on it. Try to do more. I think it’s great we’ve got that symbolism that we’re going to war, we’re going together, going in unity.

“We take this as being real life gladiators a little bit in the arena.”

One of the team’s elder statesmen at 32 years of age, Bell is champing at the bit to get back on the football field to try and get revenge for last season’s unfortunate ending.

With the wait almost over, he’s more than ready for the start of another season.

“About time,” said Bell. “Six months of no football, no real football, now we actually get to bite in to it and get exactly what we want, a real win. I’m excited about it.”

As for his message to the players, it won’t be anything too complicated as he just wants his defensive players to work as hard as he does and keep hustling — all the time.

“Run your feet. Run your feet,” Bell said. “That’s all that I’m telling them.”