This Latino Kicker Is So Good, An NFL Team Made An Unusual Move Just To Get Him
Meet Roberto Aguayo. He’s the dude in the middle. In case you’re wondering why he’s flanked by two big football players…
It’s because they’re teammates. Well, they were teammates. For the past three years, Aguayo was a kicker for Florida State University.
And he was just drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft.
Most NFL teams don’t draft kickers in the second round. But Aguayo was too good to pass up.
How good was he in college?
REALLY GOOD. Over his career, Aguayo was perfect (49 out of 49) for field goals inside 40 yards. Oh, and he also made all 198 of his extra point kicks.
Don't ever play yourself! @FSU_Football kicker @_RobertoAguayo has a leg that any NFL team would want. #PROcasthttps://t.co/44CrsTqtGV
— FOX Sports: PROcast (@PROcast) March 18, 2016
Basically, Aguayo is the most accurate kicker in college football history.
He’s pretty good at paper football, too.
That’s Aguayo having a little fun with ACC Digital Network reporter Jeff Fischel, who challenged the young kicker to a game of paper football. Aguayo’s first “kick” was straight up the middle and hit Fischel between his eyes. How’s that for aim?
Aguayo credits his father, an immigrant from Mexico, for helping him become a beast at kicking.
Aguayo, who excelled at soccer and football, says his father built an H-shaped goal in their backyard that served as both a soccer goal and a football goal post. Once Aguayo decided to focus strictly on football, he was able to practice his kicking at home.
The 21-year-old kicker cites his father’s work ethic as an inspiration.
Aguayo’s father grew up on a ranch near Leon, Guanajuato, in Mexico and decided to move to the U.S. when he was 18. He eventually settled in Florida. His goal, like many immigrants, was to make enough money to support himself and send money back to his family.
Although his father put in long hours at a tree farm, Aguayo told ESPN that his father still made time for him on days off: “I just wanted to hang by the pool with my friends, but he’d wake us up early, at 6 o’clock. He’s out in the sun all day [at work], so I’m surprised he had the energy, and that motivated me. When people ask me how I have such a strong leg and this ability, I go back to those days.”
Aguayo also told Sports Illustrated he respects his father for making tough sacrifices.
“He came over illegally, and there are a lot of people who do that, but they do that for a better life. There was no money over there. My uncle [living in Mexico] will work and make about $10 a day, and that’s not enough to support the family. My dad wanted to have something better for my family.”
Soon, Aguayo will be reunited with former FSU teammate Jameis Winston, who is the starting quarterback for Tampa Bay.
What will Florida State do to replace their star kicker? They’ve already recruited Roberto’s younger brother, Ricky.
Welcome to @floridastate, Ricky!#Tribe16 » https://t.co/TOhpP9ezxf pic.twitter.com/Ns7JejDxcY
— FSU Football (@FSU_Football) January 6, 2016
READ: Meet The 21-Year-Old Pitcher From Mexico Who Is Already Becoming A Baseball Star
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