VANCOUVER — It's a mouthful, but Lirim Hajrullahu's name comes with a compelling story. The veteran CFL kicker's first name means 'release' in Albanian.
The veteran CFL kicker's first name means"release" in Albanian. Hajrullahu was born in Gjilan, Kosovo, and his family emigrated to Canada in 1999 to escape the civil war there.
"That's how I mentally prepare," Hajrullahu said."I do my visualization before going to the stadium, when I'm at the stadium, before I go out and kick. While Hajrullahu — pronounced HIGH-roo-LAH-hoo — has been rock solid, it's been a roller-coaster season for Toronto. It was without starter Chad Kelly for the pre-season and first nine regular-season games while he served a CFL suspension for violating its gender-based violence policy.
"As a kicker you strive for those moments, you want to be put in those positions where guys trust you to make those final kicks," he said."That's one of the main reasons why I was brought here. "Winnipeg gave me an opportunity to be on this stage and because of that I've been able to propel my career and be here," Hajrullahu said."I'm grateful for that and their trusting me back then … but I'm with Toronto and have to win it for our side."
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