The First Brazilian Who Almost Made the NFL Draft- Cairo Santos

Early Life and Transition to American Football

Cairo Santos initially developed his kicking skills playing soccer in Brazil. In 2007, he moved to the United States as a foreign exchange student and attended St. Joseph's Academy in St. Augustine, Florida. Here, his exceptional kicking abilities were quickly recognized, leading him to pursue American football.

College Career at Tulane University

Santos attended Tulane University, where he had a standout college career. In 2012, he won the prestigious Lou Groza Award, given to the nation’s best collegiate placekicker. That season, he was perfect on all 21 of his field goal attempts, including a school-record 57-yarder, and made 26 of 27 extra points. His consistent performance earned him consensus All-American honors and solidified his reputation as an elite kicker.

NFL Journey

Despite his impressive college career, Santos was not selected in the NFL Draft. However, his talent did not go unnoticed, and he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2014. On September 7, 2014, he became the first Brazilian-born player to play in an NFL regular season game. Santos quickly proved his worth, making critical field goals and setting records. In his rookie season, he led the Chiefs in scoring with 113 points, the most by a rookie in the team's history.

Career Highlights

Throughout his career, Santos has played for several NFL teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Tennessee Titans. His performance has been marked by several notable achievements:

• In 2015, he tied the NFL record for the second most field goals in a single game with seven.
• He became the first Brazilian to play in an NFL playoff game, achieving this milestone with the Chiefs.
• Santos has been recognized multiple times as the Special Teams Player of the Week and Month in both the AFC and NFC.

Current Status

As of the 2023 season, Santos continues to be a reliable and critical player for the Chicago Bears. He was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month in November 2023 and has consistently been one of the top performers in his position. His journey from Brazil to the NFL is not just a personal triumph but also a testament to the expanding global reach of American football.

Cairo Santos’s career is a remarkable example of how talent and perseverance can break down barriers and set new precedents in sports. And although many companies, for example, Parimatch, support the development of sports in Brazil, most likely, the next Brazilian in the NFL will have to wait a very long time.