A native of Pisa, Italy, Berretta went from Marymount High School in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce to the ranks of local professional soccer, where he was scouted by the Montreal Alouettes.
He spent 1962 in the junior ranks with the top local team, the NDG Maple Leafs, and was back in an Als uniform for 1963.
Even though he also caught four passes for 61 yards and a touchdown, Berretta represented a new type of player: the kicking specialist.
His average dropped to 38.1 yards in 1966 and as a result he ended playing all of 1967 with the Montreal Beavers of the Continental Football League.
1968 saw him play three games as a backup punter for the Grey Cup champion Ottawa Rough Riders.