From soccer fields to NFL record books: the unlikely rise of Eddy Piñeiro

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Eddy Piñeiro never played organized football until his senior year of high school. A lifelong soccer player, he transitioned to the gridiron, eventually becoming the first player of Nicaraguan descent in the NFL. His journey from undrafted free agent to a record-setting professional kicker is a study in precision.

Born in Miami in 1995 to a Cuban father and Nicaraguan mother, Piñeiro grew up immersed in soccer. His father, a former professional player with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, encouraged his athletic development. Despite his late start in football at Miami Sunset Senior High, Piñeiro’s natural kicking ability caught the attention of college recruiters. After a circuitous path through junior college and an open combine at Alabama, he ultimately committed to the University of Florida. During his two seasons with the Gators, he set a school record with an 88.4% career field goal conversion rate.

Piñeiro’s professional career began as an undrafted free agent with the Oakland Raiders in 2018. His breakthrough came in 2019 with the Chicago Bears, where he emerged from a high-stakes summer kicking competition to secure the starting role. His tenure in Chicago was marked by both dramatic game-winning kicks and injury-related setbacks, including a 2020 season lost to a groin injury. Following stints with the Indianapolis Colts, Washington Football Team, and New York Jets, he found stability with the Carolina Panthers and later the San Francisco 49ers.

The 2025 season proved to be a career peak for Piñeiro. He co-led the NFL in field goal percentage at 96.6%, successfully converting 28 of 29 attempts. His performance included a career-long 59-yard field goal and a streak of 18 consecutive successful kicks to start the season. This consistency earned him a four-year, $17 million contract extension in March 2026. Beyond his athletic achievements, Piñeiro is recognized for his community involvement, having received a Police Service Award in 2017 for assisting a woman escaping a domestic abuser, and for his cultural impact as a trailblazer for Nicaraguan athletes in the NFL.

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