Adriano Belli

Adriano Belli
Belli in 2023
Nickname(s)Kissing bandit
Born: (1977-08-25) August 25, 1977 (age 47)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Career information
StatusRetired
CFL statusNational
Position(s)DT
Height6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight289 lb (131 kg)
CollegeHouston
High schoolCentral Tech (Toronto)
CFL draft2000, round: 1, pick: 6
Drafted byBC Lions
Career history
As player
2000Atlanta Falcons
2001New York Giants
2001Las Vegas Outlaws
2001BC Lions
2001–2002Montreal Alouettes
2003Cleveland Browns
2003Montreal Alouettes
2004–2006Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2006Montreal Alouettes
2007–2010Toronto Argonauts
2012Toronto Argonauts
Career highlights and awards
CFL All-Star2005
CFL East All-Star2005, 2007
Awards2x Grey Cup Champion (2002, 2012)
Career stats
  • Playing stats at CFL.ca (archive)
Adriano Belli
Medal record
Men's American football
Representing  Canada
World Championship
Silver medal – second place 2011 Austria Team Competition

Adriano Belli (born August 25, 1977) is a retired football player who played in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and National Football League (NFL). Belli is nicknamed "The Kissing Bandit" for his penchant for kissing people on their cheeks.[1] He has gained a reputation for being a kind and funny man off the field and a nasty and annoying player to his opponents on the field.[2]

Early life

Belli grew up in the High Park region of Toronto and attended Humberside Collegiate Institute for the first three years of high school. He then elected to transfer to Central Technical School in the Harbord Village area of Toronto and commuted by subway to take advantage of Central Tech's football program.

College career

Belli played college football for the Houston Cougars. He credits his high school coach, Chuck Wakefield, for helping him get a scholarship to the University of Houston.[3]

Professional career

Belli was drafted in the first round, sixth overall, by the BC Lions in the 2000 CFL Draft. However, he spent two years in the NFL, prior to joining the Lions in 2001.

On February 19, 2007, the Toronto Argonauts signed Belli.[4]

After the last game of the 2009 season, Belli charged into the Montreal Alouettes locker room and challenged the entire team to a fight.[5]

Belli retired on May 11, 2011, on a Tall ship in Toronto and became a colour commentator/sportscaster on Rogers Sportsnet as their CFL Analyst.

During his retirement, Belli competed for Team Canada when they participated in the 2011 IFAF World Championship in Austria. The team went on to win the Silver medal.

On October 17, 2012, Belli came out of retirement and was signed by the Toronto Argonauts. He went on to win the 100th Grey Cup with the Argos, a game in which he was ejected.[6] Belli officially retired from the CFL for the second time on May 29, 2013.

Personal life

Belli also runs a meat distribution and packing company with his family in Georgtetown, Ontario.[3]

References

  1. ^ Girard, Daniel (June 16, 2009). "Argos' Kissing Bandit taking it slow". Toronto Star. Retrieved June 16, 2009.
  2. ^ O'Connor, Joe (July 15, 2009). "Belli defends life on the knife-edge". National Post. Retrieved July 16, 2009.[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ a b Nelson, Norm (August 18, 2009). "Three TDSB south division grads now suit up for Argos". Toronto Community News. Archived from the original on August 22, 2009. Retrieved August 19, 2009.
  4. ^ The Ottawa Citizen [Ottawa, Ont] February 20, 2007: B2.
  5. ^ Zelkovich, C. (May 12, 2011). "Belli sails off into sunset". Toronto Star. p. S3.
  6. ^ Zwolinski, Mark (December 1, 2012). "Adriano Belli, Argos' Kissing Bandit, reflects on his CFL career". Toronto Star. Retrieved July 12, 2014.