The NFL’s series of international games concludes this Sunday when the Patriots play the Colts in Frankfurt, Germany.
There has been a great deal of recent discussion in the league office regarding the possibility of an additional international game being played in South America in 2024.
Sammis Reyes, the first Chilean-born NFL alum in league history, would love to see that game played on the South American continent.
Reyes, who was born in Talcahuano, Chile, signed his initial NFL contract as a 6-5, 260 pound tight end with the Washington Commanders in 2021. He played 11 games that season, mostly on special teams. Reyes later signed a practice squad contract with the Bears in 2022 and the Jaguars earlier this season. He suffered some key injuries these last two seasons and announced his retirement last August.
Mundo NFL, the official source for NFL news focused on a Latine audience, reported this month that Reyes has joined its news organization. His assignments will include being featured in a weekly series “NFL Cultura with Sammis Reyes” where he will share his experiences from his time playing in the NFL.
“As a Latino athlete and former NFL player,” Reyes, 28, recently said, “I am no stranger to adversity. Whether it was transitioning from basketball, which I played in college, to football or competing for playing time, challenges have been my prime motivator in life. I came to the United States alone at the age of 14. This country has opened up a world of opportunities for me. I am a first-generation immigrant who came here with nothing but a dream and I have been able to accomplish more than I could’ve ever imagined.”
Reyes’ accomplishments are in the classroom as well as on the field. He has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Tulane University and an MBA from nearby-Loyola University of New Orleans.
Although his NFL career was a brief one, Reyes’ impact and popularity in the NFL’s Hispanic community is considerable. He already is viewed as a sports pioneer in his native Chile and his potential for more influence is unlimited. When the NFL does play that first regular season game in South America, you can expect to see our Alumni brother on the media scene.
We at NFL Alumni are proud Sammi Reyes is in our community and we wish him much success in his new broadcast career.
