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]
 Belli in 2023 | |
| Nickname(s) | Kissing bandit |
|---|---|
| Born: | August 25, 1977 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Career information | |
| Status | Retired |
| CFL status | National |
| Position(s) | DT |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) |
| Weight | 289 lb (131 kg) |
| College | Houston |
| High school | Central Tech (Toronto) |
| CFL draft | 2000, round: 1, pick: 6 |
| Drafted by | BC Lions |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2000 | Atlanta Falcons |
| 2001 | New York Giants |
| 2001 | Las Vegas Outlaws |
| 2001 | BC Lions |
| 2001–2002 | Montreal Alouettes |
| 2003 | Cleveland Browns |
| 2003 | Montreal Alouettes |
| 2004–2006 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
| 2006 | Montreal Alouettes |
| 2007–2010 | Toronto Argonauts |
| 2012 | Toronto Argonauts |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| CFL All-Star | 2005 |
| CFL East All-Star | 2005, 2007 |
| Awards | 2x Grey Cup Champion (2002, 2012) |
| Career stats | |
| |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's American football | ||
Representing  Canada
| ||
| World Championship | ||
 |
2011 Austria | Team Competition |
Early life
editBelli 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
editBelli 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
editBelli 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
editBelli also runs a meat distribution and packing company with his family in Mississauga, Ontario.[3]
References
edit- ^ Girard, Daniel (June 16, 2009). "Argos' Kissing Bandit taking it slow". Toronto Star. Retrieved June 16, 2009.
- ^ O'Connor, Joe (July 15, 2009). "Belli defends life on the knife-edge". National Post. Retrieved July 16, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ 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.
- ^ The Ottawa Citizen [Ottawa, Ont] February 20, 2007: B2.
- ^ Zelkovich, C. (May 12, 2011). "Belli sails off into sunset". Toronto Star. p. S3.
- ^ Zwolinski, Mark (December 1, 2012). "Adriano Belli, Argos' Kissing Bandit, reflects on his CFL career". Toronto Star. Retrieved July 12, 2014.