Fiacconi became a leader during turbulent times

O-lineman’s most infamous moment involved a practice fight

There are plenty of lifelong memories from his football career that Aaron Fiacconi will take into retirement. The one that’s infamous had him smiling on Saturday.

“A big part of this organization was competing and doing things right,” Fiacconi said, looking back on the practice-field fight he had with Edmonton Eskimos defensive lineman Xzavie Jackson in 2009.

Fiacconi got the better of Jackson, who stormed off the field and came back later with a shovel. He was intercepted by then-general manager Danny Maciocia, who talked him out of using the tool. The story played out on news outlets across North America.

The players made amends shortly after but the team struggled to 9-9 record.

“That was basically … we were setting the tone, you know? Football is all about competing, man,” Fiacconi said. “And you know, good on him for stepping up and good on me for being the better man in that moment, I guess. It could have gone the other way, but I wouldn’t want to talk about it right now. In the end, it worked out all right in my favour.”

Fiacconi’s career worked out well for him, too. A 10-year veteran, he began his career with the Montreal Alouettes, winning a Grey Cup in 2002. In 2005, he went to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and landed with the Eskimos in 2007, becoming a leader in the locker-room and in the community.

“I think it goes back to 2009, when we were under a new head coach (Richie Hall),” he said. “We were going under a lot of growing pains as an organization the whole time I’d been here, but that was an opportunity for me to step up, play some football here and take a leadership role.

“It just felt really natural. It was a natural progression, the way things worked out. I just liked the way it worked out. We were hard-working. We battled so much, we’ve been through so much here, so many ups, so many downs, and it was great to be a part of it, leader or not, being a part of that locker-room was pretty special. I wanted to bring the best out of everybody, no matter what, and that was my main goal.”

Fiacconi, 32, had his 2011 campaign stopped short by a season-ending rotator cuff injury. The shoulder surgery was complicated and the rehab process frustrating, he said. After his shoulder healed, Fiacconi was released by the Eskimos in February and listened to offers from other CFL teams before deciding to call it a career.

He won the David Boone Memorial Award last season for his volunteer work in the community.

“He’s the consummate professional; the ultimate team guy,” said Kyle Koch, Fiacconi’s replacement at centre last year, his roommate and best friend. “He’s an awesome guy, the community (involvement), all of those things. You don’t replace guys like that.”

Fiacconi wasn’t sure what Jackson is up to these days.

“We’re not exactly pen pals. If he’s looking for a job, he can call me if he wants.”