Blast From The Past: Tony Graziani

There are certain names that will go down in history as some of the best players to ever play in the Arena Football League. One such player is Tony Graziani. He is a man who played the quarterback position masterfully for eight AFL seasons. In his career he threw for 23,606 yards with 494 touchdowns. He was once the highest paid player in the AFL. His arena career ended with a championship in 2008 with the Philadelphia Soul. Since the league returned to action, many AFL fans have wondered where Tony went. I tracked him down and had the chance to talk to him and see how things have been going post football in the life of #7.

Kyle DeRiemer: What have you been up to since leaving the AFL?

Tony Graziani: I have been living in Palm Desert, CA. I opened up a commercial real estate company called TD Desert Properties.

KD: Are you enjoying the new life?

TG: I enjoy my new life, especially raising my three children, Ben – 11, Will – 9 and Ava – 6.

KD: Do you ever miss playing in the AFL?

TG: I miss playing every day. I have been lucky enough to broadcast a couple of games on the NFL Network lately and that has been a good way to get my Arena Football fix!

KD: Have you thought about making a return to the game?

TG: I thought about playing and so I went to play golf to think it over. I was sore the next day and realized that I was in no shape to return.

KD: What would it take for you to come back?

TG: I would need a new knee and the ability to take a hit like Aaron Garcia.

KD: Have you been keeping up with the league since your departure?

TG: Yes, I have many friends who still play so I root for them.

KD: Do you have any thoughts or advice for your former team, the Philadelphia Soul, about their rocky season?

TG: The only thing I would say is that they have one of the best Arena Football minds in Coach Ho running things. All they need to do is listen to him and everything will work out great.

KD: Tell me about your thoughts on Arena Bowl XXII and how it felt to bring back a championship to a city that was starved for one.

TG: It felt great! The progress the organization made in my four years there was tremendous. I came to an organization that had little or no success and turned it into a champion. There is nothing like winning in a city like Philadelphia!

KD: Do you still keep in touch with any of the guys from the championship team?

TG: I do. Guys like Wes Ours, Chris Jackson, Rob Keefe, Mike Mabry, Gabe Nyenheis and play-by-play announcer Ari Wolfe.

KD: As a Philadelphia fan favorite, do you have any words for the Soul fans?

TG: I want to thank them for the unbelievable support and the best four years of my football life. Philly fans are the best in the league and I would love to come back and see them…Maybe I should rethink a return in 2012!

It is safe to say that the Philly faithful would love to see a return. I would like to thank Tony Graziani for taking the time to catch up with me as well as the Arena Football Nation. We hope to be hearing more from him in the near future. As always, thanks for reading...and remember Those who can't play must judge like a pro.