Latino diaspora on display in NFL playoffs

Latin America and the Caribbean are known to produce soccer, baseball and boxing stars instead of NFL stars. First and second generation Latinos in the United States, however, are also increasingly starring in the National Football League.

There will be plenty of Latino flair in the upcoming NFL playoffs, which start with the Wild-Card round on Saturday. Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Honduran Americans, Dominican Americans and even a Chilean American will feature during the NFL playoffs.

The top seeds in the NFC and AFC each feature a pair of Latinos. The defending Super champion Kansas City Chiefs feature Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco and punter Matt Araiza. Pacheco has Puerto Rican roots. Araiza is Mexican American.

The Detroit Lions, who matched the Chiefs for the best record in the NFL his season at 15-1, featured a pair of Mexican Americans this season. Linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez, who underwent season-ending ACL surgery last month, and cornerback Khalil Dorsey have Mexican roots.

Nik Bonitto of the Broncos is Cuban American. Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Jose Ramirez shares a name and Dominican Republic roots with the Cleveland Guardians’ All-Star third baseman. Ramirez has yet to make a tackle this season.

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The Chargers’ Tony Jefferson has Mexican roots. He’ll face the Texans, which have Panamanian American fullback Troy Hairston on their practice squad this year.

Steve Avila shines

Steve Avila, who has Mexican roots, has quietly become one of the Rams’ best offensive lineman. The 6-foot-3, 330-pounder from Arlington, Texas, is finishing his second season in the NFL.

Avila was picked in the second round out of TCU in the 2023 NFL Draft, and he has lived up to the hype.

🎤 Steve Avila on the mic in Week 16! | @BarefootWine pic.twitter.com/cSk3OGOQZO

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 25, 2024

The Washington Commanders lead the playoff field in terms of Latinos on the roster this year. Washington’s Mikey Davis and Zane Gonzalez have Mexican roots. Their teammates Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Bobby Price have Puerto Rican roots.

The Eagles’ Tariq Castro-Fields is also Latino. The Vikings’ Levi Drake Rodriguez is Mexican American. Minnesota’s Sammis Reyes is the rare Chilean American in the NFL.

Steelers general manager Omar Khan has Honduran roots. Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores also has Honduran roots. Mike Sullivan, an offensive assistant with the Steelers, has Mexican roots.