Latinos around the NFL in Week 4

Midway through Hispanic Heritage Month, which is celebrated every September 15 through October 15, this Week 4 of the 2002 NFL season only half of the 18 currently active Latinos were in action — that is, those who are not injured, on practice squads or among free agents.

Admittedly, that’s a low percentage relative to previous weeks, but at least — unlike in past weeks — there were no Latino players cut or sent to practice squads.

We continue with our commitment to closely follow the 2022 season of Latinos on the grid, week by week.

Cuban-American wide receiver Braxton Berríos helped execute a masterful play, which was one of the keys in the New York Jets (2-2) victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers (1-3), 24-20. Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur called the play.

About three minutes into the second quarter, with the Jets leading 3-0, quarterback Zach Wilson took the snap from center, passed the ball to WR Garrett Wilson who was coming in from the right flank. G. Wilson then passed it to Berríos from the left flank.

At the end of the reversible double, Berríos steadied himself and threw a perfect rainbow to Wilson, who was waiting and alone in the end zone. The 2-yard pass was the first time in Jets history that a quarterback caught a TD pass.

“First I hand it over and I see everybody flow, and I’m like, ‘Oh, thank God,'” Wilson said. “I have the best hands on the team!”

Berríos would say: “One only hopes that everything goes well with the operation. We were prepared for it, ready for it and it happened.”

After the catch, Wilson began his “Griddy” dance. That touchdown made the difference. Braxton Berríos, of Cuban descent, made the difference.


This week we present to you: Joe Cardona (NE)

Mexican-American Joe Cardona’s path to the NFL began in 2011 when he opted to go to college at the Naval Academy in Annapolis. There he became just the second freshman in Navy history to start as a long snapper. He was soon considered one of the best long snappers in the country.

However, despite his high level, being a professional player was not on his radar yet. “Me [ambición] The biggest thing,” Joe told patriots.com in 2021, “was getting my education. Even when it got better and better [como long snapper]I don’t think he really saw the NFL as a possibility. I think that is reflected in my decision to go to the Naval Academy.”

Patriots player was commissioned a lieutenant in the Navy

Did you know that since 2015 only eight long snappers have been drafted in the NFL? During that same time period, 18 punters, 20 placekickers, 118 quarterbacks and 323 linebackers have been drafted.

The first of those eight specialty players to be selected was Cardona, selected by the New England Patriots in the fifth round (#166) of the 2015 draft.

On June 7, 2019, Cardona was promoted to lieutenant in a ceremony at Gillette Stadium. The ceremony took place the day after the 75th anniversary of D-Day, as well as the day of the Patriots’ ring ceremony for their victory in Super Bowl LIII. It’s fitting that both of Cardona’s passions have intermingled, for it has always been that way: it was his father, his father Patrick, who also served 24 years in the Navy, who instilled in him his love and dedication to football. .

The Patriots and the Navy agreed that Cardona can play for the Patriots, as long as he served in the Navy Reserves. As part of his service, Lt. Cardona currently makes regular visits to the Naval Academy Preparatory School throughout the calendar year, as well as an annual two-week training mission during the football offseason.

Cardona has won two rings with the Pats, in Super Bowls LI and LIII.

The 30-year-old is currently in the final year of the 4-year, $4.3 million contract extension he signed in 2018 with the Patriots.

Bill Belichick, whose father was a Marine veteran, has said he supports keeping the long snapper position instead of eliminating it and cross-training the skills of a player from another position.

The respect is mutual. Cardona told patriots.com, “Obviously it’s an honor to be on his team playing for coach [Belichick], especially since… special teams are taken very seriously here. My job is taken seriously.”

What will happen at the end of Cardona’s contract? We’ll have to wait for his contract to expire, but with Belichick remaining with New England through 2025, it could bode well for negotiations for another extension for the only Latino long snapper currently in the league.


How Latinos played in Week 4 of the NFL


Latinos who did not play in Week 4 of the NFL


Latinos on Practice Squads in Week 4 of the NFL


Injured Latino Players: NFL Week 4


Latino Free Agents: NFL Week 4

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Latinos around the NFL in Week 4