Q&A: Belli kisses CFL career goodbye
Argonaut reflects after retiring for good, this time as a Cup champion
Adriano Belli will be missed, probably sorely missed. Few athletes in Toronto combine charisma and talent the way Belli did in two stints with the Argonauts. He was a hit as a colour analyst for TSN when he first retired from the CFL, but returned for a six-week stint ending with victory in the 100th Grey Cup last week. The lovable grizzly bear of a man earned the nickname Kissing Bandit over his career for a habit of planting kisses on just about everyone, including reporters. Belli was ejected in the third quarter of the Argonauts’ 35-22 win over Calgary last Sunday for rough play. The league said Friday that the defensive tackle had been fined an undisclosed amount. The ejection in the biggest game of his CFL career was one final exclamation point for a player who took no prisoners. Belli is now retired for good, he says, and the Star caught up with him to talk football and the next chapter of his life.
Q: How is the word “retirement” sitting with you?
A: I’ve been retired for two years now, and though I came out of retirement for this Grey Cup run, I still consider myself a retired football player. It was fun, the Grey Cup run and the whole city, and to get out there and cause some trouble too … but, yes, I’m retired and I’m happy with it. I won’t mind not having to practice all the time, I won’t mind not having all the bumps and bruises that go along with it. I look forward to having a glass of Scotch and a nice cigar when I want to, and not worry about it anymore. I wanted to have that Scotch and cigar the night before the Grey Cup, but I stayed away from it. It was just that I thought the celebration in the city was really great and I just wanted to celebrate that.
Q: So you’ve played your last football game, you went out with a Grey Cup and you were kicked out of the game by the refs — would you say you went out with a bang?
A: I’ve certainly got a reputation around the league. When I retired the last time the commissioner sent me a gift, it was a penalty flag signed by all the referees in the league. And Angelo Mosca called me and he said “you beat my record.” I said “what record” and he said “you got kicked out of more games than me. You live by the sword and die by the sword with the type of game I played.”
Q: So, what happened to the Cup handle in the post-game celebration?
A: I snapped the handle off, we had filled it up with champagne and I went to take a big sip. I got ahold of the handles and I guess that was a rookie mistake, I should’ve grabbed it by the neck instead. But I snapped (a handle) off ten years ago when I won a Grey Cup, so it’s nothing new.
Q: If you look back on it now, how do you feel about your career?
A: I feel very lucky, I’m from Toronto and I’ve had a very good and long career. I played high school, I played college in Texas, in the NFL, the XFL, in Atlanta, New York, Cleveland, and Las Vegas. . . . I’ve been so lucky to have had a long career. If I was to say something to the young guys, it would be good guys last the longest in this game. I’ve seen guys have long careers too, and if you’re a good teammate and a try-hard, hustle guy, you will have a long career.
Q: Would you take up the broadcast microphone again, like you did in your previous retirement?
A: I had so much fun doing that, being on TV. It’s such a rush because you can screw up like in a football game. But even though I love playing the game, I’m not a big fan of sports in general. So I don’t think I will (be on TV again).
Q: Would you ever come back to the CFL again, maybe in an “unfinished business” kind of way?
A: No, not a chance. I’ve been kicked out of my last game. It was six weeks of getting back in shape and getting back into it, and it all paid off. I was told I’d be in 10 to 15 plays a game, and it turned out to be 40. I’m going to enjoy the second chapter of my life, but like I said, this team (Argos) can build a dynasty, they just have so many great athletes on that team.
Q: What’s next for Adriano Belli — you have a family meat business, will that be what you pursue?
A: I’ve always owned and always operated the family business with my brother (Michael). The day after the Grey Cup I was up early and back at the office taking care of business. I really enjoy having that as part of my life and I will take care of it for as long as I can.
Q: What will become of the “Kissing Bandit”?
A: We’ll be seeing the Kissing Bandit only at charity functions. I decided to donate my entire salary from this season to the Hospital for Sick Children. I’ve been lucky to be part of the Sick Kids family since I came back to Toronto. We do events for the “Big Kiss Fund,” stuff like the Valentine’s Day brunch, and other events. So that’s where I want to continue to focus my efforts. My brother and I both stayed at the hospital when we were younger. I had asthma problems growing up and my brother broke his leg and had to stay there. It’s a tremendous facility and they do such wonderful work, and I would like to continue be a part of helping them out as a retired football player.