Rigoberto Sanchez

BIOGRAPHY

Rigoberto Jovany Sanchez was born on September 8, 1994, emerging into a world that would come to know him as a celebrated American professional football punter. His early beginnings in Hamilton City, California perhaps gave little indication of the glitzy career ahead of him in the National Football League (NFL), yet today his name echoes in the corridors of Indianapolis Colts, his professional team.

His initial foray into football began at Hamilton Union High School, where he played during his high school years. Soon his passionate commitment and flair for the sport propelled him into the world of college football where he enrolled at the Butte College in Oroville, California. His stay wasn’t lengthy, choosing instead to transfer to the renowned University of Hawaii. Once there, he corded a laudable performance with the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors for the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

Sanchez continued to brandish his potential excellence while at Hawaii, particularly during the 2015 season. He punted 74 times for 3,335 net yards, averaging 45.1. Concurrently, he was saddled with placekicking responsibilities, successfully converting 23 of 24 extra point attempts and 8 of 11 field goal attempts. The following year was another stellar one for Sanchez, as he punted 70 times for 3,122 net yards for an average of 44.6. He also won extra points and field goal attempts rate.

On May 4, 2017, the charismatic punter’s dream of playing professional football came to fruition when he was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent. Not only did he get the chance to play on the big stage, but he also eclipsed the competition, beating out veteran Jeff Locke to clinch the Colts’ starting punter position as a rookie.

Sanchez’s long-awaited NFL debut came in the 2017 season opener against the Los Angeles Rams. Notwithstanding the Colts’ 46-9 loss, Sanchez delivered an enthusiastic performance, punting six times for 302 total yards at an average of 50.30. Throughout his rookie season, Sanchez totaled 84 punts, accumulating 3,764 net yards with an average of 44.81. The sheer energy and precision he manifested throughout the season weren’t disposed of unnoticed; Sanchez was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

In subsequent seasons, he continued to wow fans and analysts alike. Over the 2018, 2019, and 2020 seasons, Sanchez proved a stalwart, consistently amassing over 2500 net yards each season with punting averages ranking well above 44 each year.

Amid such an illustrious career, in June of 2019, Sanchez signed a four-year $11.6 million contract extension with the Colts, tying his future to the team at least until the end of the 2023 season. During this period, Sanchez’s performance continued to rise, notably in Week 7 of the 2021 season, where he kicked the longest punt of his career and in Colts history, a staggering 79 yards.

Although Sanchez didn’t play during the 2022 season due to a torn Achilles, he resumed to the field in the subsequent 2023 season, punting 68 times for 3,281 total yards at an impressive average of 48.25. Just when the 2023 season was in the rearview mirror, the Colts extended Sanchez’s contract for another three years in March 2024, showing their commitment to the Mexican-origin punter.

Sanchez’s life beyond the football field is equally intriguing. He grew up playing soccer in his early years before he embraced American football. As often becoming for stars of his caliber, Sanchez also experienced a whirlwind romance. He met his future wife, Cynthia, in junior college. Cynthia was from Corning, CA, a community near Sanchez’s own. The dazzling engagement took place at the Circle of Lights at Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis on December 26, 2017. The following spring saw the lovebirds tie the knot.

In November 2020, it was announced Sanchez needed to undergo surgery the following day to remove a cancerous tumor. Thankfully, the surgery was successful, and he returned to practice two weeks later, proving himself a true warrior both on and off the field. From humble beginnings to the glitzy world of the NFL, Rigoberto Jovany Sanchez has shown that with passion, determination and a little bit of luck, dreams do come true.