Cairo Santos

BIOGRAPHY

Cairo Fernandes Santos, born in Limeira, São Paulo, Brazil on November 12, 1991, has left a formidable footprint in the world of American football. He is not only known as a talented professional football placekicker but also as a trailblazer, being the first Brazilian-born player in the history of the National Football League (NFL). This 2500-word biography delves into the journey of Cairo Santos, painting a comprehensive chronicle of his accomplishments, challenges, priorities, and undeniable position in the world of American football.

Born to a pilot father who worked for Varig, the young Santos spent his early life in Brasilia, the heart of Brazil. Unbeknownst to him, life had earmarked a different destiny for him, one that would take him thousands of miles away to St. Augustine, Florida. At the age of 15, he became a foreign exchange student at St. Joseph Academy, initially intending to leverage the opportunity primarily as a linguistic exercise to learn English. Little did he know that this move would translate to a career pivot like none other.

As a child, Santos was deeply connected with soccer, a game Brazilians are feverishly passionate about. He soon discovered that his finely honed skills at soccer translated with surprising effectiveness to field goal kicking in American football. With the prospect of securing a college scholarship, Santos chose to extend his stay in Florida, refining his kicking skills throughout his high school years.

In 2010, Cairo Santos committed to Tulane University, amidst interest from reputable institutions such as Georgia Tech, Jacksonville, and Miami (OH). His freshman year saw him garnering a spot in the Conference USA (C-USA) All-Freshman Team. The Green Wave witnessed Santos leading them in points scored, making 13 out of 16 field goal attempts and handling kickoff duties. The 2012 season was particularly fruitful for Santos as his flawless 21 of 21 field goals record, and a school record 57-yard field goal earned him wide acclaim. This year he won the Lou Groza Award, bestowed upon the nation’s best placekicker.

His prowess on the field remained consistent in the 2014 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, where he connected on a 39-yard field goal. His skills, unmissable even for those unfamiliar with the sport, paved the way for him to be signed as an undrafted free agent by the Kansas City Chiefs on May 19, 2014. Despite his unorthodox entry into the league, he beat veteran Ryan Succop for the position of Chiefs’ kicker and made a monumental mark in NFL history by being the first Brazilian-born NFL player.

His rookie season was remarkable by all standards, not just because of his unique heritage. Scoring a clutch game-winning field goal in Week 7 and a 53-yard field goal the following week highlighted his precision and skill. His 113 points were the highest by any rookie player in Chiefs’ history, demonstrating his undeniable talent.

Santos continued his successful trajectory in the subsequent years, setting and breaking records. His performance in the 2015 season included seven field goals in a single game, equating a team record. This feat etched his name alongside five players having the second most all-time in a single game. He also kicked two 49-yard field goals, marking the longest field goals in the Chiefs postseason history. His journey in the 2016 season saw Santos being named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month, having converted all five extra points and 11 of the 11 field goals.

Despite facing an injury and missing most of the training during the 2017 season, Santos returned to shine brighter than before. However, due to his injury, he left the Chiefs and had brief stints with the New York Jets, Los Angeles Rams, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before settling with the Chicago Bears in 2020.

Rejoining the Bears, Santos set a franchise-high record by successfully kicking 27 consecutive field goals. His dedication and performance led to signing a three-year contract extension with the Bears worth $9 million in 2021. He continued to uphold his prowess by successfully making his first 13 attempted field goals of the season. Later in 2023, he further got a four-year extension, indicating his substantial impact on the team and the sport.

But Santos’ life isn’t just about numbers and records; it’s also about overcoming personal adversity. In September 2013, his father, the biggest fan and supporter, died in a plane crash in Brazil. Despite the grief, Santos uses this as a motivation and dedicates each of his successful kicks to his late father. In 2016, through the “My Cause My Cleats” NFL campaign, he honored Chapecoense, a Brazilian association football club, supporting them after a tragic aircraft crash that took 71 lives.

In essence, Cairo Santos’ journey isn’t merely a tale of an accomplished NFL placekicker. It’s a testament to the power of defying odds, relentless determination, personal and professional resilience, and a tribute to the human spirit’s undeniable will to surpass boundaries. He has utilized each fumble and triumph to mould himself into an eminent figure in NFL history, leaving an indelible legacy in the world of American football.