TMI: How Lirim Hajrullahu makes his teammates smile

Lirim Hajruhallu must have felt pretty good after the Argos’ contest against Winnipeg last week.

No, his team didn’t win, but he did make all six of his field goal attempts – accounting for 18 of the 25 points Toronto scored that evening.

Making field goals – and in turn making his teammates happy – has been Lirim’s motivation since booting the game-winning kick through the uprights back in 2010 helping his Mustangs win the Yates Cup.

He says he wants to be the best kicker he can be so he can put smiles on other people’s faces. (Aww!)

The St. Catharines, Ont. native has had plenty of chances to do just that so far in 2017, too, after connecting on 16 of his 20 field goal attempts (the longest from 50 yards out) and all four of his converts.

So yeah, Lirim’s making a lot of his teammates (and Argonauts fans) pretty happy this season.

Get to know a bit more about Toronto’s kicker in this edition of TMI!:

Kristina Costabile: Tell me something fans might not know about you.

Lirim Hajrullahu: I have three degrees. I have an under grad in kinesiology specialization in sports management, I have my post-grad in kinesiology specialization in sports management and I also just finished my MBA in finance.

KC: Where did you take all of those?

LH: The first two at Western and MBA was at Niagara University (because) were playing half the year and the other year was just in terms of being able to go class so they (Niagara) were more flexible with my time.

KC: What do you like to do in your free time?

LH: Just relax. During training camp I try to catch up on shows and movies and nap time! Honestly, just like to spend time with family and friends and stay low key because you want to stay focused for the game so nothing crazy.

KC: You mentioned catching up on shows, what are you binge watching on Netflix?

LH: I’ve been catching up on Suits and I have to find a new show soon. I hate scary movies (Editors note: Me too Lirim, me too). I just like some funny, action ones. I’m that type of guy.

KC: What is on your pregame playlist?

LH: I don’t. I recently haven’t put on any playlist. I just want to focus on the game and not worry about external stuff. I just to before but not anymore.

KC: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what are three things you would bring with you?

LH: Free internet, a laptop so you can catch up on the world and watch some movies and lastly I think you need to have a comfortable bed.

KC: What is your favourite football memory?

LH: We had won the Yates Cup in 2010 on a last-second field goal. And my biggest joy was to see my teammates so happy after we made the field goal. Ever since, that has motivated me to be the best kicker I can be just so I can see the smiles on other people’s faces. I like to see people happy so that’s always something has as stuck with me when I made the field goal and we ended up winning the Yates Cup. Since then, the joy that those types of things bring to your team, it’s something you strive for everyday just to be able to do that again.

KC: If you weren’t a football player, what would you be doing?

LH: Probably working downtown on Bay Street, I hope!

KC: If you could have one super power what would it be?

LH: Invisibility.

KC: That was a quick response! Why?

LH: We were asked before if you would rather be invisible or be able to fly. If you’re invisible, you can sneak on planes! But if you can fly, it depends on how fast you can fly and low long your endurance is. I mean, if you can fly and you can control the speed and your endurance, flying would be pretty cool. So maybe a bit of both..