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.
Professional career
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 coachRichie 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 managerDanny 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, 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.
Entrepreneur
Mark Restelli retired from football in 2013 after a career-ending foot injury sustained during his time playing with the Miami Dolphins. Mark underwent four surgeries over a three years to get his foot back into functional shape. Medical marijuana played a critical roll in his post-surgical recovery. Mark continues to use medical marijuana and cannabidiol to treat a lifetime of sports injuries. Mark began his post-football career by starting a software company that serves this newly legal cannabis industry
CannTrade is the Everything and Platform. Established in 2016, CannTrade provides software tools that allow legal cannabis cultivators, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to better manage their supply chain. CannTrade's parent company was co-founded by Mark Restelli, Adam Holub, Brian Holub, and Drew Harmon.
Personal
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 Catholic High School 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 before Sanchez left to play both his junior and senior seasons at Mission Viejo High.
