How a soccer player from Brazil became an NFL pioneer
In short: Cairo Santos didn't grow up knowing the rules of American football. Raised in Brasília, he only encountered the sport as a 15-year-old exchange student in Florida. What he didn't know was that his soccer skills would soon make him a historic figure in the National Football League.
Born in Limeira, Brazil, Santos was raised in the capital, Brasília, where his father worked as a pilot for Varig. His journey into professional football started quite suddenly upon his relocation to St. While he originally intended to stay at St. Joseph Academy for just one year to learn English, he discovered that the kicking mechanics used in soccer translated seamlessly to American football field goals. His father's aviation career in the capital provided a stable upbringing before his move to the United States. This transition allowed him to refine his specialized skills throughout his high school years in Florida.
This realization led to a collegiate career at Tulane University, where he became a standout performer. In his 2012 breakout season, Santos set an NCAA Division I record by making 21 consecutive field goals without a miss—a record that remains unbroken as of 2026. His performance earned him the Lou Groza Award, recognizing him as the nation's most outstanding placekicker. Beyond his record-breaking accuracy, he was also named a consensus All-American. He notably achieved this distinction after leading the Green Wave in total points scored.
Santos entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2014. In doing so, he became the first Brazilian-born player in NFL history. Since then, his career has been defined by resilience and precision. After representing various clubs like the Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams, and New York Jets, he joined the Chicago Bears permanently in 2020. In 2023, he secured his future with the Bears through a four-year extension running through 2027. His professional journey included brief stints with several different franchises before finding a home in Chicago. In 2023, he further solidified his role with the Bears by signing a significant multi-year contract extension.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Cairo Santos
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