Mark Restelli
Encyclopedia
Mark Restelli is a professional Canadian football
linebacker
for the Edmonton Eskimos
. He was signed by the Eskimos as a street free agent in 2009 and played until he was signed by the Dolphins in 2011. On September 4, 2011 he was released by the Dolphins during their final roster cuts. On September 9, 2011 he announced that he would be resuming his football career in the Canadian Football League with the Edmonton Eskimos. He played college football
for the Cal Poly Mustangs
.
and never missed a game. He had 267 tackles, three sacks, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. Restelli ranks in the top ten lifetime in tackles at Cal Poly. In 2007, he was named Honorable Mention All-Great West. As a senior he was named Defensive Team Captain. Restelli majored in agricultural business.
on April 29, 2009, after attending an Eskimos free-agent tryout camp in Long Beach, California. After the release of Derrick Doggett
on June 10, Restelli's main competition for the starting weakside linebacker spot is fellow import rookie Tumbo Abanikanda
. Restelli debuted for Edmonton on June 17 in a preseason game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders
and recorded one tackle
and an interception while Abanikanda recorded three tackles. Eskimos head coach
Richie Hall
has called Restelli and Abanikanda's battle the closest one in camp so far. Hall also stated that he hoped, "one player outperforms the other player" in Edmonton's next preseason game against the BC Lions
on June 21." Eskimos general manager
Danny Maciocia
said that Restelli "plays as if his hair is on fire."
, he claims that he does not surf
. During the Edmonton Eskimos 2009 training camp, after being asked about it, Restelli responded, "You've got to be like the 10th person to ask it."
Canadian football
Canadian football is a form of gridiron football played exclusively in Canada in which two teams of 12 players each compete for territorial control of a field of play long and wide attempting to advance a pointed prolate spheroid ball into the opposing team's scoring area...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
for the Edmonton Eskimos
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
. He was signed by the Eskimos as a street free agent in 2009 and played until he was signed by the Dolphins in 2011. On September 4, 2011 he was released by the Dolphins during their final roster cuts. On September 9, 2011 he announced that he would be resuming his football career in the Canadian Football League with the Edmonton Eskimos. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the Cal Poly Mustangs
California Polytechnic State University
California Polytechnic State University, or Cal Poly, is a public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, United States. The university is one of two polytechnic campuses in the 23-member California State University system....
.
College career
Restelli was a four year starter at Cal PolyCalifornia Polytechnic State University
California Polytechnic State University, or Cal Poly, is a public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, United States. The university is one of two polytechnic campuses in the 23-member California State University system....
and never missed a game. He had 267 tackles, three sacks, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. Restelli ranks in the top ten lifetime in tackles at Cal Poly. In 2007, he was named Honorable Mention All-Great West. As a senior he was named Defensive Team Captain. Restelli majored in agricultural business.
Edmonton Eskimos
Restelli signed with the Edmonton EskimosEdmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
on April 29, 2009, after attending an Eskimos free-agent tryout camp in Long Beach, California. After the release of Derrick Doggett
Derrick Doggett
Derrick Doggett is a gridiron football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos as a street free agent in 2008...
on June 10, Restelli's main competition for the starting weakside linebacker spot is fellow import rookie Tumbo Abanikanda
Tumbo Abanikanda
Tokumbo "Tumbo" Abanikanda is a professional American and Canadian football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos as a street free agent in 2009. He played college football for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles.-Early years:Abanikanda attended...
. Restelli debuted for Edmonton on June 17 in a preseason game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
and recorded one tackle
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
and an interception while Abanikanda recorded three tackles. Eskimos head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
Richie Hall
Richie Hall
Richie Hall is the defensive coordinator for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He was formerly the head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos from 2009–2010.- Early years :...
has called Restelli and Abanikanda's battle the closest one in camp so far. Hall also stated that he hoped, "one player outperforms the other player" in Edmonton's next preseason game against the BC Lions
BC Lions
The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954...
on June 21." Eskimos general manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
Danny Maciocia
Danny Maciocia
Danny Maciocia is the head coach of the Université de Montréal Carabins football team. He is also the former general manager & director of football operations of the Canadian Football League's Edmonton Eskimos and former offensive coordinator with the André-Grasset Phénix, a CEGEP team in...
said that Restelli "plays as if his hair is on fire."
Miami Dolphins
Mark Restelli signs Futures Contract with Miami Dolphins in January 2011Personal
Even though Restelli is from CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, he claims that he does not surf
Surfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
. During the Edmonton Eskimos 2009 training camp, after being asked about it, Restelli responded, "You've got to be like the 10th person to ask it."
Restelli's first football job came on the Santa Margarita football sidelines as a 10-year-old waterboy alongside future New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez.
Restelli and Sanchez played on the same Pop Warner team for three years. They shared footballs on the Santa Margarita practice field for quarterback Carson Palmer, who went on to win the 2002 Heisman Trophy and become the top overall selection in the 2003 NFL draft. The two were Eagles junior varsity basketball teammates (incorrect. Restelli only played freshman year while Sanchez was an 8th grader.) before Sanchez left to play his junior and senior seasons at Mission Viejo High.Santa Margarita's Restelli gets his shot at NFL