The National Professional American Football League, the NFL, started its 106th season this month, which also coincides with the month of Hispanic Heritage. There have been many Latinos who have contributed over the years to the most popular sport in the United States, leaving their mark on the court and helping to obtain titles.
If we talk about their own names, one is undoubtedly Anthony Muñoz, the first player of Mexican descent to the Hall of Fame of Professional football in 1998.
Considered one of the best offensive linemen in the history of the league, Muñoz’s dominance and consistency as a left tackle during the 13 seasons he played made him a maximum point in his position. His legacy with the Cincinnati Bengals is immeasurable.
Another player who left a great legacy was Tom Fears. The Los Angeles Rams wide receiver from 1948 to 1956 was the first Mexican-born player to reach the NFL, and in 197,0 the first to be immortalized in Canton, Ohio. The lid, who played nine seasons, retired with 400 receptions for 5,397 yards and 38 touchdowns.
The first quarterback of Mexican descent to win a Super Bowl was Jim Plunkett with the Raiders in 1980, a title he repeated three years later.
While there have been a considerable number of players of Mexican descent in the league, such as Tom Flores, Mark Sanch,ez, and Tony Romo, there have also been other nationalities. Such is the case with Argentine Martin Gramatica, who was a big kicker in the FL, and his talent led him to be decisive in winning the first Super Bowl for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003.
Those are some of the many Latino-blooded players who have enriched the league and opened the doors so that more keep coming.
Latinos this season
The NFL’s 2025/2026 season will be special for Latinos. This campaign will be the second time that the league has had at least 40 representatives with Latin American roots among its teams, and with several of them, even in prominent roles.
Let’s go over who some of them are.
Fred Warner is the one who tops this list. Of Mexican and Panamanian origins, the San Francisco 49ers linebacker was outstanding last year as one of the best in his position, being chosen to the Pro Bowl of the season.
Nik Bonitto, another linebacker of Cuban roots, is an important piece for the Denver Broncos in their resurgence in the AFC West. Bonitto finished with 13 catches for a half last campaign.
Puerto Rican-blooded Isiah Pacheco has been instrumental with the Kansas City Chiefs in consolidating their NFL dynasty. Pacheco was key to two Super Bowls, and while he barely made 83 carries last season after injuring himself in the early weeks, he is one of the league’s great Latino figures.
Christian Gonzalez and Andrés Borregales give Latin flavor and youth to the New England Patriots. Gonzalez, a cornerback, was selected in the first round of the 2024 draft and made a major impact on the Patriots’ defense . Borregales, Venezuelan, is a kicker and goes to his first season in the league, where he already secured ownership in the team after the preseason.
Steve Avila, an offensive lineman with Mexican roots who plays for the Rams of Los Angeles, Cairo Santos, a Brazilian kicker of the Chicago Bears, and Mexican Elijah Arroyo, the close wing of the Seattle Seahawks, are also part of the outstanding Latin litter within this NFL campaign.
We have several months to see if these young players will help their respective teams advance to the playoffs and eventually lift the coveted Vince Lombardi trophy.
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