Sammis Reyes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Sammis Reyes

Reyes with the Washington Football Team in 2021
Position:	Tight end
Personal information
Born:	(1995-10-19) October 19, 1995 (age 29) Talcahuano, Chile
Height:	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight:	240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school:	North Broward (Coconut Creek, Florida)
College:	Tulane (2016–2017) Loyola–New Orleans (2018)
CFL draft:	2021G / Round: 4 / Pick: 34
Undrafted:	2019
Career history
Washington Football Team (2021) Chicago Bears (2022)* Jacksonville Jaguars (2023)* Minnesota Vikings (2024)*
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 11 Games started: 1 Tackles: 2
Player stats at PFR

Sammis Daniel Reyes Martel (born October 19, 1995) is a professional football player from Chile. He plays as a tight end. Sammis made history as the very first player from Chile to play in the NFL.

Before playing football, Reyes was a talented basketball player. He was part of the Chile national team when he was young. At 14, he moved to the United States on a sports scholarship. He played college basketball at several universities, including Hawaii, Palm Beach State, Tulane, and Loyola–New Orleans. He even earned a Master of Business Administration degree.

Sammis continued to play for the Chile national basketball team while studying in the US. However, after his team did not qualify for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, he decided to try a new sport: American football. He joined the NFL's special program for international players. After showing off his skills, he signed with the Washington Football Team in 2021.

Sammis Reyes's Journey to the NFL

Early Life and Basketball Career

Sammis Daniel Reyes Martel was born on October 19, 1995, in Talcahuano, a port city in Chile. His family soon moved to Santiago. Growing up, Sammis loved playing soccer and basketball. He dreamed of playing in the NBA.

When he was nine, he joined the Boston College Sports Club. Two years later, he was chosen to play for the Chile national basketball team. In 2014, his Boston College team came in second place in a Chilean youth basketball tournament called Campioni del Domani.

Moving to the United States

In 2010, when Sammis was 14, he went on a tour to the US with the Chilean youth national team. American scouts noticed his talent and offered him a scholarship. He accepted and moved to Florida by himself the next year.

When he first arrived, Sammis knew very little English. He learned quickly by watching movies and listening to music. He made friends and later moved to North Broward Preparatory School in Coconut Creek, Florida.

Playing College Basketball

In 2014, Sammis planned to play college basketball at the University of Hawaii. But he hurt his hand during practice and missed his first season. He felt homesick and decided to return to Florida to recover.

After that, he played basketball for a semester at Palm Beach State College. Then, in 2016, he transferred to Tulane University. He played for the Tulane Green Wave for two seasons. He later earned a degree in business management from Tulane.

In 2018, Sammis played his last year of college basketball for the Loyola Wolf Pack at Loyola University New Orleans. There, he also earned a Master of Business Administration degree. Throughout his basketball career, he mostly played as a power forward.

Switching to American Football

Sammis Reyes during practice with the Washington Football Team in 2021

Sammis Reyes stopped playing basketball after Chile did not qualify for the 2019 FIBA World Cup. He then worked as a trainer. But when the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020, he could not continue. He then worked as a driver for DoorDash.

Many people had told Sammis he should try American football. He had only tried it for one week in high school. He worried about injuries stopping his basketball dreams. But now, he decided to become a professional football player.

Joining the NFL's International Player Pathway Program

Even though he knew almost nothing about football, Sammis applied for the NFL's International Player Pathway Program (IPPP). This program helps athletes from other countries learn football. He was accepted as a tight end player.

Sammis spent 10 weeks training and learning football at IMG Academy. On March 31, 2021, he showed his skills at a special event for IPPP players. Many NFL teams were impressed by how athletic he was.

Playing for the Washington Football Team

On April 13, 2021, Sammis signed a three-year contract with the Washington Football Team. He liked that the team was close to where he lived. With this signing, Sammis Reyes became the first player born in Chile to play in the NFL. He was also chosen by the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League (CFL) draft.

Sammis played his first professional game in October 2021. He played a few plays on special teams. He played in 11 games that season, mostly on special teams, and made two tackles. In 2022, he got a hamstring injury during training and was later released by the team.

Time with Other NFL Teams

On October 18, 2022, Sammis Reyes joined the Chicago Bears' practice squad. Later, on May 16, 2023, he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

However, on August 14, Sammis announced he was retiring from football. He said he decided to retire because he had suffered a concussion. But on February 28, 2024, Sammis said he wanted to play football again. The Jaguars then released him.

Signing with the Minnesota Vikings

On May 13, 2024, Sammis Reyes signed with the Minnesota Vikings. He joined them through the International Player Pathway Program again. He was later released on August 26, 2024, but signed to their practice squad two days later.

Personal Life

In 2021, Sammis Reyes appeared in a commercial for Pepsi Zero in Chile.

Images for kids

• 

  Reyes with the Washington Football Team in 2021

• 

  Reyes during practice with the Washington Football Team in 2021

See also

In Spanish: Sammis Reyes para niños