Ottawa Redblacks DE Frank Beltre was on hit TV show ‘Exatlón’ after his niece secretly signed him up
Ottawa Redblacks’ defensive end Frank Beltre wound up competing on a wildly popular television show almost by accident.
The 31-year-old made frequent visits to his family during the CFL’s extended off-season. He quickly grew tired of their obsession with the show Exatlón, which seemed to be on television non-stop.
“Every time I came home and talked to my mom and my niece and everybody, they would always just put me to the side. I was like, ‘What are you guys watching?’ until I almost got sick of it. I was like, ‘You know what? I’m not even coming by here anymore,’” said Beltre in a videoconference.
Exatlón is one of the most popular shows on Spanish television, running frequently in primetime. It pits athletes and celebrities against members of the general public as they compete in a series of challenges that test their strength, intelligence, and courage.
“I’m like, ‘Man, that looks so easy — I feel like I could do this,’” said Beltre. “Me and my niece have a very special relationship because we like to challenge each other in anything. She goes, ‘Oh yeah? I bet you can’t do it.’ I’m like, ‘Sign me up.’ Little did I know she did sign me up.”
Beltre was cast for the show as a member of the ‘Famosos’ with whom he competed alongside other athletes and celebrities. He put his six-foot-two, 245-pound frame to good use, displaying his elite level of athleticism.
“My goal was to not be the first one to get eliminated,” said Beltre with a laugh. “I did not get eliminated — I left early.”
The native of Azua, Dominican Republic is happy to have competed on the show. He has already been offered a spot in the show’s upcoming sixth season, though he does not believe he will be available to participate.
“It was a great experience,” said Beltre. “I pretty much did it for my niece to teach her to take challenges and to give everything she’s got.”
Beltre is currently competing to win a starting job along Ottawa’s defensive line. He has previously been a member of the Calgary Stampeders (2014-16) and Toronto Argonauts (2018-19), recording 110 total tackles, five sacks, and three forced fumbles over 57 career games.
