Latino NFL players representing the culture in the history of football

Molinet was the first Cuban-American and Latin American to play professional American football. He played for the Frankford Yellow Jackets during the 1927 season. He rushed for 75 yards and passed for another 35. After playing in nine NFL games, Molinet went to New Jersey’s Cornell University, finished his degree, and lived far away from football. He died on August 27, 1976.

Joseph Andrew Aguirre was born on October 17, 1918, in Wyoming. He was an American football end in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, and the Los Angeles Dons of the All-America Football Conference. Aguirre also played in the Canadian Football League with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Edmonton Eskimos, and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Edwin Matthew Saenz was born on September 21, 1923, and received the nickname “tortilla” because of his Mexican American heritage. He was an American football running back for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Southern California. An injury forced Eddie to retire after five years with the Washington Redskins. He later worked as a stunt man and a double for Anthony Quinn. He died on April 28, 1971.

Stephen Wood Van Buren was born on December 28, 1920. He was a Honduran–American professional football player for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1944 to 1951. He was known for being a powerful runner and winning four league-rushing titles. He was the first NFL player to rush for over ten touchdowns in a season and the first to have multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons. He died on August 23, 2012.

Thomas Jesse Fears was a Mexican-American professional football player for the Los Angeles Rams. he played as a split end from 1948 to 1956. Later, he was an NFL assistant coach and head coach of the New Orleans Saints. He is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Daniel Dario Villanueva was born on November 5, 1937, in New Mexico. He was an American football professional for the Los Angeles Rams and the Dallas Cowboys. Villanueva, of Mexican American descent, played college football at New Mexico State University. He later became a news director and broadcasting executive and co-founded Univision. He died on June 18, 2015.

Gene Herman Brito was born on November 23, 1925, to a Spanish-American father and Mexican-American mother. He was an American football defensive end in the National Football League who played nine seasons for the Washington Redskins and the Los Angeles Rams from 1951 to 1960.

Adrian Gabriel Rivera, nicknamed “Señor Sack,” was an American college and professional football player for a single season in 1983 with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rivera played college football for Texas Tech.

Efren Herrera was born on July 30, 1951. The Mexican-American placekicker played for the Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, and Buffalo Bills. He played college football at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Luis Ernesto Sharpe is a former professional American football tackle for St. Louis/Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals. He played from 1982 through 1994. Sharpe graduated from UCLA with a degree in political science.

Ralph Ortega Ralph Ortega was born July 6, 1953, in Cuba. He is an American former college and professional football player for the Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins of the NFL. Ortega played college football for the University of Florida and received All-American honors.

Tony Steven Casillas is a former American football defensive tackle. He helped the University of Oklahoma to win the 1985 NCAA National Championship. He also won the Lombardi Award in 1985 and was the 1985 UPI Lineman of the Year.

Antonio Ramiro Romo is an analyst and former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for 14 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.

Anthony David Gonzalez is a former American football tight end who played for 17 seasons, primarily with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Joseph Robert Kapp is an American former football player, coach, and executive. He played college football as a quarterback at the University of California, Berkeley.

Michael Anthony Muñoz, is a former American football offensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. Muñoz is considered to be one of the greatest offensive linemen in NFL history.

Louis Nicholas Vasquez is a former American football guard for the Denver Broncos. He played college football at Texas Tech.

James William Plunkett is a former American football quarterback for the Raiders. He helped win two Super Bowl titles.