Toronto Argonauts' Lirim Hajrullahu kicks a field goal during practice ahead of the 111th CFL Grey Cup, in Vancouver, on Nov. 13, 2024.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press
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. Hajrullahu was born in Gjilan, Kosovo, and his family immigrated to Canada in 1999 to escape the civil war there.
But on the day Hajrullahu was born (April 24, 1990), Azem Vllasin, a Kosovo-Albanian politician and lawyer, and 13 others were released from jail in Serbia and acquitted of charges levied against them in 1989.
“When I was born, my uncle said, ‘It’s a great day, it’s freedom, they’re free so Lirim would fit [as] his name,”' Hajrullahu said. “So I carry that.
“You’re not just given a name, there’s meaning behind it so for me, that’s special.”
On Sunday, Hajrullahu will look to get his name engraved on the Grey Cup for a second time when Toronto faces the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at B.C. Place Stadium. In 2017, Hajrullahu had the game-winning boot in the Argos’ 27-24 victory over the Calgary Stampeders.
Hajrullahu, 34, isn’t one to look too far ahead but he can see himself again kicking the winning field goal Sunday. That’s because visualization has long been a big part of his preparation.
“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.
“Every day, especially on game days because that’s when I visualize success and going one-for-one. Every kick, every situation is different and so if I can focus on that one play for one kick, that’s been our motto this year.”
Hajrullahu returned to Toronto this season following an NFL stint (2020-22) with the Los Angeles Rams, Carolina, Washington and Dallas. He appeared in four games, making four-for-five field goals and all eight converts while recording 17 kickoffs.
Hajrullahu has been stellar this season, hitting on 55-of-61 field goals (90.2 per cent) and 35-of-37 converts (94.6 per cent). On Sept. 28, the 5-foot-11, 205-pound kicker booted eight field goals – a club record, and tying the CFL mark – in a 37-31 win over the Montreal Alouettes.
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 preseason and first nine regular-season games while he served a CFL suspension for violating its gender-based violence policy.
When Kelly was reinstated, Toronto had a 5-4 record. After three straight first-place finishes, the Argos (10-8) were second in the East before dispatching Ottawa 58-38 in the division semi-final then advancing to the Grey Cup with a 30-28 win over Montreal last weekend.
But Kelly suffered a serious leg injury versus Montreal, so veteran Nick Arbuckle will make his first Grey Cup start Sunday.
Throughout the season, Toronto has relied heavily upon its defence (CFL-best 48 sacks) and special teams (Hajrullahu and dynamic returner Janarion Grant). This year, Hajrullahu established career highs in field goals tried and made, and welcomed the workload.
“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.
“So whether we kick one field goal or eight, I’m preparing the same way, just go one-for-one on every kick.”
Hajrullahu is completing his 11th pro season and will play in his third Grey Cup. He was with Hamilton in 2019 when it lost 33-12 to Winnipeg, the Bombers’ first of five straight championship appearances.