First Chilean Player in League Joins Official Source of Football Content Geared Toward Latino Fans
NEW YORK — Nov. 1, 2023 — The National Football League announced the addition of NFL Legend Sammis Reyes to the on-air talent roster for Mundo NFL, the league’s official source for Latino fans on NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game-day coverage and more.
The first Chilean-born player in NFL history, Reyes will appear in “NFL Cultura with Sammis Reyes,” a weekly content series for Mundo NFL, offering insights and commentary on his experiences as a player and how they relate to current NFL events and fans around the world. The former tight end played for the then-Washington Football Team in 2021 before a stint with the Chicago Bears in 2022 and the Jacksonville Jaguars prior to the 2023 season.
“Sammis is a talented young professional with first-hand experience of being not just a Latino player in the NFL, but the first Chilean player in the league,” said Javier Farfan, cultural strategist at the NFL. “His knowledge of the game and what it’s like to perform at the highest levels of the sport will provide unique insight for our fans in an educational and informative way. We look forward to Sammis sharing his stories and expanding the reach of our game to Latinos everywhere.”
A native of Talcahuano, Chile, Reyes’ path to the NFL is unique. He grew up in Chile before moving to the U.S. at the age of 14, where he eventually played basketball at North Broward Prep in Florida and later at Tulane. The 6-foot-5 athlete played two seasons on the hardwood for the Green Wave, while also spending a decade in the Chilean national team program.
Following the conclusion of his basketball career, Reyes turned his attention to the gridiron, catching the attention of NFL scouts at his pro day by running a 4.64 in the 40-yard dash, reaching 31 bench press reps, and producing a 40″ vertical and 10’5″ leap in the broad jump.
Reyes was set to come through the NFL’s International Pathway Program (IPP), which provides international players with both training and a roadmap to break into the league, but his pro day impressed Washington enough to sign him prior to the IPP process. Reyes appeared in 11 games for Washington in 2021, making one start, while contributing primarily on special teams.
“As a Latino athlete and former NFL player, I am no stranger to adversity, and whether it was transitioning from basketball to football or competing for playing time, challenges have been my prime motivator in life,” Reyes said. “This new challenge of creating content is different than what I have done before, but the prospect of connecting with this growing fan base is a true honor. I am thankful for the opportunity to join Mundo NFL and eager to give fans a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be an NFL player while engaging with them through unique content opportunities.”
The official source for NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more, Mundo NFL is the destination for Hispanic/Latino fans to consume all things NFL. Mundo NFL produces shows and segments for its YouTube channel and distributes content on its X and newly rebranded Instagram account. Learn more at www.NFL.com/Mundo.
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