Kabongo, Belli like to reach out
By Jan Carinci Patrick Kabongo and Adriano Belli could easily be cast in Disney/Pixar's next action flick where just as all looks lost, two larger-than-life heroes emerge to save the day: Watshidimba and the Kissing Bandit Versus the NFL Expansion to Toronto. And larger-than-life is not a stretch when it comes to these two. The Edmonton Eskimos media book lists Watshidimba "Patrick" Kabongo at six-foot, six-inches and 315 pounds while the Argonauts fact book has Adriano "The Kissing Bandit" Belli an inch shorter and a couple of pounds lighter. But let's face it, when you're that big, an inch this way or that doesn't really matter. And the similarities don't end there. Both men call Canada home. Both have been CFL All-Stars and are established leaders on their respective teams. Both earn their pay as gladiators in the trenches, Pat on offence, Adriano on defence. Both have been known to at times play the game beyond the rules, although you'll never get them to admit to it. And both have perfect names for linemen; Kabongo could be the sound made when opposing players bash helmets trying to defeat each other and Belli, pronounced 'belly', well, that just says it all for the perfect name for a lineman. While the two play the game with intensity and emotional levels spiking on every play, only Adriano carries on this persona off the field of play. Get introduced to Adriano and you would be one of the scarce few not to be the recipient of The Kissing Bandit's calling card. And let's face it, when someone that big wants to kiss you, best accept it for what it is, pucker up and get the sanitizer ready to clean up the mess after. Despite being less gregarious off the field, Patrick and Adriano are passionately committed to continuing what the CFL does better than any other professional sports league in North America, perhaps the world. The CFL and its member teams put great emphasis on getting their players out into the community that supports both the team and the league. It's a touch-me, feel-me league that has no barriers between its players and its fans. It's a league without pretence where player appearances for good causes outweigh corporate sponsor obligations. CFL players sacrifice their own time for those good causes while players in other leagues establish foundations that do make a difference, but are first and foremost set up to offset taxes. In 2009, Patrick Kabongo was the honorary chairman of the United Way's Coats for Kids campaign and the honorary chairman of the Boys and Girls Club Caddie Classic. In 90 appearances last year Patrick championed the cause of drug education through D.A.R.E., participated in reading and stay-in-school programs, did environmental presentations and emphasized having a sound fitness regimen. He attended events for Diabetes Awareness, MS, Autism, the Cancer Institute and the Kidney Foundation. He was in a spaghetti-eating contest, served double-doubles for Tim Hortons Camp Days and managed to participate in something called the Twisted Fork Eating for Charity event. Patrick enjoys food "¦ and giving back. All this plus the obvious attendance at football camps and minor football games. Likely his greatest passion is what Patrick calls Kabongo's Kidz, where he gives faith talks to church groups -- after every home game! Belli focuses his community service on Toronto's Sick Kids Foundation. Aptly titled The Big Kiss Fund, Adriano has been the driving force behind events like the Valentine's Day Dinner and Auction where attendees bid for a chance to have dinner with other Argos and local celebrities. Adriano invited kids from Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children and their families, out to each Argos home game in 2009 and had a special surprise for them at one game when his rendition of O Canada really brought the house down. He is also very active in the Argos' Big Men, Big Hearts program where the largest members of the team help care for the smallest of the community through Sick Kids Hospital visits and participation in events. All of these activities do not go unnoticed. Both Adriano and Pat were nominated by their teammates for the Tom Pate Award presented annually to the player that best displays qualities that distinguish them from their peers through demonstrated commitment to league, team and community. Kabongo and Belli -- fierce combatants on the field at Stade Moncton Stadium 2010 on Sept. 26. And solid examples of what all athletes should emulate off the field. * Jan Carinci played 10 seasons in the CFL and was on the 1983 Grey Cup Champion Toronto Argonauts. Jan and his family have called Moncton home since 2001. |