Cairo Santos Bio
Cairo Fernandes Santos is a Brazilian-American professional American football placekicker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tulane Green Wave and was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2014. Santos spent parts of his first four seasons in the NFL with the Chiefs before being released partway through the 2017 season. He has also played for several other teams including the New York Jets, Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Tennessee Titans, making a significant impact with the Bears since 2020. Santos is notable for being the first Brazilian-born player in NFL history.
Early Life and Background
Cairo Santos was born on November 12, 1991, in Limeira, São Paulo, Brazil. He was raised in Brasília, where his father worked as a pilot. Santos was not familiar with American football until he moved to St. Augustine, Florida, as a foreign exchange student at the age of 15. Originally planning to stay for just one year to learn English, he discovered that his soccer kicking skills translated well to American football. This realization led him to pursue a college scholarship, allowing him to further develop his kicking abilities throughout high school at St. Joseph Academy.
Path to American Football
Santos committed to Tulane University on January 22, 2010, after receiving interest from several other schools. He played in all 12 games during his freshman year, earning a spot on the Conference USA All-Freshman Team and honorable mention All C-USA. His sophomore season saw him continue to excel, finishing second on the team in scoring. The 2012 season marked a significant breakthrough for Santos, as he achieved a perfect record on field goals and was recognized as a consensus All-American, winning the Lou Groza Award for the nation’s most outstanding placekicker.
Cairo Santos Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
Cairo Santos was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Kansas City Chiefs on May 19, 2014. He quickly established himself as the team’s kicker, making his NFL debut on September 7, 2014. Santos made a significant impact in his rookie season, converting 25 of 30 field goal attempts and all 38 extra point attempts, setting a franchise record for points scored by a rookie. He also became the first Brazilian player to participate in an NFL playoff game, contributing to the Chiefs’ postseason efforts.
Breakthrough (2020–Present)
After a series of short stints with various teams, Santos returned to the Chicago Bears in 2020, where he solidified his role as a key player. He made an impressive debut, converting both of his field goal attempts and all three extra points in a victory against the Detroit Lions. Throughout the 2020 season, Santos achieved a franchise record by making 27 consecutive successful field goals. His performance earned him recognition as the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month in December. In 2021, he continued his success, making a remarkable 40 consecutive field goals, a streak that was eventually broken during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Santos’s contributions to the Bears have been instrumental, and he signed a contract extension in March 2021, further solidifying his position with the team.
Notable Works and Milestones
Cairo Santos’s signature work includes his record-setting performances with the Chicago Bears, where he has consistently demonstrated his kicking prowess. He has received multiple accolades, including being named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week on several occasions. His ability to perform under pressure has made him a reliable asset for the Bears, particularly in high-stakes situations.
Cairo Santos Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Cairo Santos has received several nominations and accolades, particularly during his college years, where he was recognized for his outstanding kicking abilities.
Cairo Santos Awards Won
Cairo Santos has won notable awards, including the Lou Groza Award in 2012 and being named a Consensus All-American in the same year. He was also recognized as a First-team All-Conference USA player in both 2012 and 2013.
Cairo Santos Family
Information regarding Cairo Santos’s family is limited. He experienced a significant loss when his father died in a plane crash in Brazil in 2013, which deeply affected him and influenced his career.
Personal Life
Cairo Santos is a naturalized U.S. citizen. He has publicly honored his father’s memory and has participated in campaigns to support causes important to him, including honoring the victims of the Chapecoense tragedy in 2016. Santos’s journey from Brazil to the NFL is a testament to his dedication and talent in American football.
