Mark Restelli

Mark Restelli (born March 4, 1986) is a professional Canadian football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He most recently attended training camp with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos as a street free agent in 2009 and played until he was signed by the Miami Dolphins in 2011. Despite a strong preseason (which included 4 tackles and a defended pass in the fourth quarter of the final preseason game versus the Dallas Cowboys), 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.

Restelli was a four year starter at Cal Poly 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 and viticulture.

Edmonton Eskimos

Restelli signed with the Edmonton Eskimos 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 was 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." In his three seasons with the Eskimos Restelli recorded 74 defensive tackles, 21 special teams tackles, and 4 sacks.

Miami Dolphins

In January 2011, Restelli signed a contract with the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He spent the training camp and preseason of the 2011 season playing on special teams. Despite a strong preseason performance (in the final preseason game versus the Dallas Cowboys, Restelli recorded four tackles and a defended pass), Restelli was released in the final round of cuts on September 3.

Return to the Edmonton Eskimos

Following his release by the Dolphins, Restelli returned to the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. He spent the remainder of the 2011 CFL season as a backup linebacker.

Montreal Alouettes

On February 15, 2012, Mark Restelli became a free agent after playing out his option year for the Edmonton Eskimos. On February 21, 2012, the Montreal Alouettes announced that they had signed Restelli. On June 16, 2012, he was released by the Alouettes along with eight other players. Restelli was injured for most of Montreal's training camp.

Even though Restelli is from California, 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."

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 shagged 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