Several Colombian athletes have managed to stand out in a wide range of disciplines at the international level, representing the country in sports such as baseball, soccer, tennis and even American football. In particular, American football, a sport not traditionally popular in Colombia, has seen the rise of several Colombians in the prestigious NFL.
Four Colombians have stood out in the NFL
Over time, these athletes have left their mark in a discipline that demands a unique combination of strength, strategy and speed. All of them are a source of pride.
Jairo Peñaranda
Jairo Peñaranda, born in Barranquilla, is known for being the first Colombian to play in the NFL. His sports career began at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he excelled in college football. Thanks to his talent on the field, he was selected in the 12th round of the 1981 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. Additionally, Peñaranda played in the USFL for the Oakland Invaders and the Memphis Showboats.
Throughout his NFL career, he played in 20 games, solidifying his role as a pioneer for Colombian athletes in this sport.
Fuad Reveiz
Fuad Reveiz, born in Bogota, played as a placekicker in the NFL, representing teams such as the Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers, and Minnesota Vikings. His career began at the University of Tennessee, where he was named an All-American in 1982. In 1985, he was selected in the seventh round of the NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. Throughout his career, he earned All-Pro honors in 1994 and was selected for the Pro Bowl that same year. He finished his career with 188 field goals out of 250 attempts, being remembered as one of the most successful Colombian players in NFL history.
Fernando Velasco
Although Fernando Velasco was not born in Colombia, he takes pride in his Colombian roots. Velasco was born in New York but is the son of a Colombian father. He had a remarkable career in the NFL as a center. Throughout his career, he played for several teams, including the Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers and Buffalo Bills. One of the highlights of his career was being part of the Carolina Panthers team that reached Super Bowl 50 in 2016.
Christian Gonzalez
Christian Gonzalez is a rising star in American football who, at just 23 years old, continues to impress in the NFL. Born in Carrollton, Texas, Gonzalez proudly represents his Colombian heritage through his father, Héctor Gonzalez, a former basketball player for the Piratas de Bogotá.
Drafted 17th overall by the New England Patriots in the 2023 NFL Draft, Gonzalez plays as a cornerback (CB) and has quickly built a reputation as one of the league’s most promising young defenders. In his most recent game, the AFC Championship in Denver, he bounced back from an early 52-yard completion allowed to make the decisive play of the night: a fourth-quarter interception of Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham in the snow, securing New England’s 10–7 win and officially qualifying the Patriots for Super Bowl 2026