Known as the "kissing bandit", no one was safe from Adriano Belli, though opposing quarterbacks and running backs might have preferred a kiss than the body crunching tackles he delivered on them. Born in Toronto, Belli played college ball in the States at Houston. Belli was then drafted in the first round (sixth overall) by the BC Lions in the 2000 CFL College Draft. Bellli played only two games for the Lions in 2001 before he was traded to the Montreal Alouettes in October for center Angus Reid and a fifth round draft pick. Belli finished 2001 with the Als and then recorded four quarterback sacks in 2002 for Montreal. Belli signed as a free agent after the 2002 season with the Cleveland Browns of the NFL, but returned to finish the 2003 season with Montreal. The Alouettes released Belli n February of 2004, and he was promptly signed by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Belli played in Hamilton in 2004, 2005 and about half of 2006, earning his first East All-Star and a CFL All-Star at defensive tackle in 2005. Belli finished the 2006 season with Montreal and then signed as a free agent with Toronto for 2007. Belli played his final four seasons (2007-2010) in Toronto, winning his second East All-Star at defensive tackle in 2007. Belli made it to three Grey Cups while playing with the Alouetttes, winning in 2002, while losing in 2003 and 2006. Belli finished his career with 28 quarterback sacks, including a best of seven in his CFL All-Star season in 2005. Injuries and age finally caught up to one of the most colourfull characters in the CFL, and Belli retired just prior to the start of the 2011 season.
Adriano Belli on YouTube Prior to a game versus Winnipeg in 2010
Belli Sails Away On His Own Terms
| Year | Team | GP | T | ST | Total | TFL | Yds | KD | Sacks | Yds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | MON | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | BC | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | MON | 18 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 17 |
| 2003 | MON | 7 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | HAM | 15 | 23 | 0 | 23 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 19 |
| 2005 | HAM | 18 | 27 | 0 | 27 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 46 |
| 2006 | MON | 8 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 12 |
| 2006 | HAM | 11 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
| 2007 | TOR | 18 | 44 | 0 | 44 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 16 |
| 2008 | TOR | 18 | 40 | 0 | 40 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 |
| 2009 | TOR | 18 | 21 | 0 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 22 |
| 2010 | TOR | 5 |
8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Year | Team | FR | Yds | Avg | TD | Long | OFR | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | MON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2001 | BC | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | MON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2003 | MON | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2004 | HAM | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | HAM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | MON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | HAM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2007 | TOR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2008 | TOR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | TOR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | TOR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
