Tommy Castellanos Declares for the NFL Draft

Posted on December 24, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Thomas (Tommy) Castellanos is ready for the big leagues…

The 22-year-old Afro-Cuban American college football quarterback for Florida State University has declared for the National Football League (NFL) draft after dropping his appeal for another year of college eligibility.

Castellanos thanked family, friends, coaches and teammates and “everyone who has supported me along this journey” in a statement posted on social media.

Just Win Management Group, which represented Castellanos during his legal fight, said it supported his decision.

“While the unique facts and circumstances surrounding the petition for an additional year of eligibility did create a path of viability, after careful review and consideration, we fully support Mr. Castellanos’ decision to forego that continued pursuit and focus his attention on preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft,” the agency said in a statement.

The NCAA initially denied Castellanos’ waiver request for a fifth season.

Castellanos, who transferred to Florida State last December after one year at Central Florida and two at Boston College, argued that college football’s sanctioning body should grant him another season because he played in only five games with the Knights in 2022.

Castellanos played against Tulane in the American Athletic Conference title game after starter John Rhys Plumlee aggravated a hamstring injury. Backup Mikey Keene opted out of the game because he wanted to preserve a year of eligibility before entering the transfer portal.

It’s moot now, with the 5-foot-11 Castellanos turning his attention toward preparing for the draft.

Castellanos completed 58.3% of his passes for 2,760 yards this season, with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also led the Seminoles (5-7) with 557 yards rushing and nine scores.

New England Patriots Kicker Andrés “Andy” Borregales Hits Game-Winning Field Goal Against Buffalo Bills

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Andrés “Andy” Borregales is celebrating a stellar, game-winning kick.

The 22-year-old Venezuelan professional American football kicker for the National Football League’s New England Patriots kicked a 52-yard game-winning field goal with 15 seconds remaining in the game on Sunday, October 5, to give the Patriots a 23-20 win over the previously undefeated Buffalo Bills.

The Patriots were tied with the reigning AFC East champion Bills. Drake Maye and Stefon Diggs had taken the offense as far as it would go. Mike Vrabel ran the clock down to 20 seconds and trusted Borregales, who is in his rookie season with the Patriots.

“Just treated it like any other kick,” Borregales said. “Went out there, trusted that the snap was going to get there, hold was going to be great, everyone’s going to block in front, and the ball goes in.”

In the process, Borregales overcame a rough start to the season. He had missed a field goal in the NFL season opener and a pair of extra points the following week against the Miami Dolphins.

He didn’t get any attempts against the Pittsburgh Steelers or Carolina Panthers, but he was a perfect 3-for-3 against Buffalo, including 30-yard and 19-yard field goals.

He’s now 7-for-8 on field-goal attempts this season.

“You can see when he’s building some confidence in his swing, it just looks good,” Vrabel said. “I don’t know much about kicking other that it just looks like a good drive, when those pros hit it right down the middle, and there’s some balance to it and some calmness.

“He’s been working hard, [assistant special teams coach] Tom [Quinn] and [special teams coordinator] Jeremy [Springer] have been working hard with him as well to maintain that consistency, that consistent swing. I’m excited. I’m happy for him.”

“It meant a lot,” Borregales said. “Obviously I’m a rookie, had my struggles in the beginning, but just having them come tap me on the shoulder, like, ‘Hey, don’t worry about it, on to the next one’ helped me remind myself that one kick doesn’t define me. Just keep moving on, because life doesn’t stop.”

It was one of those moments, as a road underdog with the game on the line in prime time, that can strike fear into the hearts of certain people.

“Some people can’t watch, some people can watch,” Borregales said. “I watched it halfway and saw it down the middle and got excited, started celebrating a little bit. Because at that point, I knew it was going in.”

After the game, in the locker room, Borregales’s teammates chanted his name. He smiled when asked about it at the podium.

“That was awesome. We take pride in building a brotherhood, a family,” Borregales said. “I treat every one of those guys in there as my brother, and I’ll die for them.”

Borregales, played college football for the University of Miami Hurricanes and was selected by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Karol G to Headline Halftime Show During YouTube’s Exclusive Live Broadcast of 2025 NFL São Paulo Game

Posted on August 14, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Karol G is getting in the jogo (de futebol Americano).

The 34-year-old Colombian superstar will headline the halftime show during YouTube’s first exclusive NFL live broadcast taking place at Corinthians Arena in São Paulo, Brazil, in September, YouTube and the National Football League have announced.

Celebrating the “Sounds of Latin America through Gameday Entertainment,” the 2025 NFL São Paulo game set for September 5 will be a face-off between the reigning AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers.

“I’m so excited to be part of YouTube’s first-ever NFL live broadcast, it’s truly an honor and a moment I’m so proud to be part of,” Karol Gt, who’s making the rounds with her Billboard No. 1 album Tropicoqueta, said in a press statement. “I’ve watched many NFL halftime shows over the years and now having this opportunity to bring my music to this global stage means the world to me. I can’t wait to celebrate with everyone in São Paulo and fans all around the world.”

As part of the ongoing collaboration between the NFL and YouTube, the upcoming Chiefs and Chargers game marks YouTube’s first-ever exclusive live NFL game.

In addition to Karol helming the halftime show, Brazilian artist Ana Castela will perform the country’s national anthem “Hino Nacional Brasileiro,” and composer and jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington will perform the U.S. national anthem.

“This broadcast is a landmark moment in our partnership with the NFL, where the worlds of football, music and creators will powerfully collide,” said Angela Courtin, VP of Sports and Entertainment Marketing at YouTube. “From the real-life manifestation of our creator community in São Paulo to a global icon like Karol G taking the stage at halftime, this partnership with the NFL is a testament to our shared vision. It’s about more than just a game; it’s a statement that the future of live sports and entertainment is global and connected.”

Tim Tubito, senior director, Global Game Presentation and Entertainment at the NFL, added: “With our incredible NFL fan base in Brazil and across the world, we worked hand-in-hand with our YouTube partners to tap into the larger Latin Pop music scene with an innovative, global artist.”

The week 1 matchup will stream free on YouTube on September 5, beginning with YouTube’s pre-game show at 7 p.m. ET and the game kicking off at 8:00 pm ET.

Tony Romo Partners with Skechers for Eighth Consecutive Year

Posted on August 4, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Tony Romo is still on tennis show duty…

The 45-year-old Mexican American former professional football quarterback, who played for 13 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys before becoming a National Football League television analyst, has extended his partnership with Skechers, the athletic footwear brand that he’s endorsed since 2017.

Romo, a four-time NFL Pro-Bowler, appears in a series of ads for Skechers’ Hands Free Slip-ins Collection, which features shoes designed with flexible materials, tie-free laces and an exclusive “Heel Pillow,” that allow you to step in without bending over.

Romo is seen in a commercial promoting the shoes, which features the trendy open sole design seen on other popular sneaker brands.

The Skechers version features a flexible and breathable jacquard knit upper with an “air-cooled memory foam” insole and a geometric cushioned midsole. The shoes are springy and supportive, offering sneakers that perform whether you’re hitting the football field, the gym or the links.

The new shoes also include the Skechers “Cozy Fit” sneaker above, which the brand says is as soft and comfortable as a “well-worn sweatshirt.” As the name implies, the shoes offer plush cushioning that cradles your feet, with a memory foam insole for additional comfort. A foam midsole and flexible upper allow your feet to move and flex freely, rather than being “locked” in like some sneakers that use more rigid construction.

The “Slip-Ins” technology can also be seen on the “3D Energy” series of sneakers, which feature the same “heel pillow,” mesh upper, adjustable laces and a 3D-printed lattice midsole. Skechers says the shoes are made from “plush, unstructured materials designed to eliminate stiffness and pinching.”

All of the shoes in the collection are machine washable, making them even more practical for everyday wear. The shoes are also all made from vegan materials.

This is Romo’s eighth year in a row of working with Skechers, who have previously tapped athletes and sports icons like MLB pitcher Clayton Kershaw and boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, over the years. Skechers’ celebrity roster, meantime, includes ongoing collaborations with Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart. The footwear brand also teamed up with “Emily in Paris” star Ashley Park for a capsule collection in 2023.

Romo retired from the NFL following the 2016 season and made a successful transition to the broadcast booth, as one of the lead color analysts for CBS Sports. He’ll be

back for another season behind the booth for CBS Sports, as part of the network’s “NFL on CBS” announcer lineup. Romo will be paired alongside veteran broadcaster Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson for the 2025 season.

Damien Martinez Selected as No. 223 Pick in Seventh Round of 2025 NFL Draft by Seattle Seahawks

Posted on April 27, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Damien Martinez is heading to the National Football League.

The Seattle Seahawks have the 21-year-old Miami Hurricanes running back as the No. 223 pick in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Martinez was a three-year starter, having played two years at Oregon State before transferring to the University of Miami.

While at Oregon State, he was named Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, was first-team All-Pac-12 and led the team with 982 rushing yards.

His second season at Oregon State was even better, rushing for 1,185 yards and named first-team All-Pac-12 for the second year in a row.

Martinez might be particularly familiar to Washington state football fans for his play against the University of Washington, having rushed for 230 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 84 receiving yards in two games against the Huskies in 2022 and 2023.

When he transferred to Miami, he saw similar production, leading the team in rushing yards (1,002), averaging 6.3 yards per carry with 10 touchdowns. He played in all 13 games last season, with 10 starts.

Elijah Arroyo Selected by Seattle Seahawks in Second Round as No. 50 Pick in 2025 NFL Draft

Posted on April 26, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

There’s more football in Elijah Arroyo’s future…

The 22-year-old Mexican American University of Miami tight end was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the No. 50 pick, making him the first Latino selected by a National Football League team this year.

“It feels unreal,” Arroyo said after being selected. “I’m still trying to take it all in. It’s a surreal feeling. I’m blessed.”

Arroyo, who is 6-foot-5, 254 pounds, averaged an impressive 16.9 yards per reception in his final season at Miami, catching 35 passes for 590 yards and seven touchdowns.

That 2024 performance helped Arroyo earn second-team All-ACC honors in a strong final season in which he started all 13 games after being limited to 11 games in his previous two seasons due to injury.

Arroyo was better known as a pass-catching tight end in college, but prides himself on being a versatile and well-rounded tight end.

“I lined up everywhere throughout my college career,” Arroyo said. “Really, everywhere on the field. I feel like that’s where I thrive, just being able to spread out and create mismatches.”

Arroyo later added, “I’m an elite competitor. You look on film, you know exactly what you’re going to get with me, that’s tremendous effort and just everything out of me in general. In the pass game, I can stretch the field; I’m basically like a receiver out there. I can run every route in the route tree, I understand how to get open, I understand zones. I feel like I’m a great overall tight end.”

As for his blocking, Arroyo said, “I did a decent amount. I really improved these past couple of years, and there’s still a lot more room for improvement as a far as my in-line blocking. Just learning how to help the offense any way I can.”

While Arroyo was born in Florida, he didn’t spend his entire childhood in the Sunshine State. Because of his father’s job selling timeshares, Arroyo and his family moved to Cancun, Mexico, when he was 7, staying for five years before moving to Frisco, Texas.

“I had just started playing football before I moved down there, so that was my biggest concern as a 7-year-old moving to a different country,” he said. “I asked my mom if they had a football team, and they said yes, they found me a football team. So I was cool with it.”

On playing football in Mexico, Arroyo said, “It was really the same other than being in a different language. You really learn that it’s still the same sport, it’s still football. There’s different ways to learn the game.”

Anitta to Perform During Halftime at NFL’s Inaugural Regular-Season Game in Brazil

Posted on August 20, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Anitta is set to make National Football League history…

The 31-year-old Brazilian singer, songwriter, dancer, actress and occasional television host will perform during halftime at the NFL’s inaugural regular-season game in São Paulo, which marks a historic expansion of American football into South America.

Anitta, Brazil‘s own baile funk superstar, will kick off the halftime show.

Her performance is set to meld the vibrant spirit of Brazilian music with the exhilarating intensity of American football.

“I am incredibly excited to perform in São Paulo at the NFL’s first game in my home country of Brazil,” says Anitta. “Growing up here has completely shaped me as an artist and, of course, as a person. So it means everything to be able to bring fans around the world the excitement and joy of our amazing music and culture. It’s really a dream come true to be a part of this moment.”

The event is taking place September 6 at 8:15pm ET at the Arena Corinthians.

Steering Anitta’s presentation are NFL’s head of music, Seth Dudowsky, senior vice president of global event operations & production, Jon Barker, and director of event presentation & content, Tim Tubito, all in collaboration with Production Club.

“When we talked about artists that we wanted to work with, Anitta was at the top of that list,” explains Dudowsky. “We don’t want to come in and make this very American and Western. We want it to weave into the culture of the environment that we’re at,” adds Jon Barker.

Luísa Sonza, who was one of the talents honored at this year’s Billboard Women in Music Awards, will be responsible for singing the national anthem.

Tony Gonzalez Signs with United Talent Agency

Posted on March 4, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Tony Gonzalez has new representation…

The 48-year-old part-Mexican American former American football tight end and Pro Football Hall of Famer has signed with United Talent Agency (UTA).

Gonzalez will continue to represented by SMAC Entertainment and Jill Fritzo PR.

Gonzalez is considered one of the greatest tight ends in National Football League (NFL) history. He played in the league for 17 seasons, primarily for the Kansas City Chiefs and then for the Atlanta Falcons for his final five seasons in the league. He’s the NFL’s all-time-leader in touchdowns and yards by a tight end as well as consecutive starts and Pro Bowl appearances by a tight end.

After retiring in 2013, he began working as an analyst for The NFL Today and other NFL programming at CBS. He currently co-hosts Thursday Night Football for Amazon Prime Video.

Gonzalez has branched out into acting in recent years. He’ll guest star in the seventh episode of Season 6 of the CBS comedy series The Neighborhood. He will appear in the episode as Derrick, Calvin’s (Cedric the Entertainer) new physical therapist. Season 6 of the series launched on February 12 after being delayed due to the double writers’ and actors’ strikes.

He also appeared in the Amazon film The Underdoggs opposite Snoop Dogg and Tika Sumpter, the Paramount+ film Fantasy Football, and the Spectrum Originals drama series Long Slow Exhale.

His other credits include XXX: The Return of Xander Cage and multiple episodes of NCIS.

Gonzalez is active in philanthropy as well, working with organizations such as Boys and Girls Clubs, Shadow Buddies, Scholars’ Hope and Give Power.

Josh Andrés Rivera to Star as the Late Aaron Hernandez in FX’s “American Sports Story” Anthology Series

Posted on November 3, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Josh Andrés Rivera is hitting the football field…

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican actor will star in the first installment of Ryan Murphy’s American Sports Story anthology series for FX.

Rivera will portray the late former NFL star Aaron Hernandez in the season that’s based on the podcast Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc. from the Boston Globe and Wondery.

Rivera’s co-star will be Patrick Schwarzenegger as fellow former NFL star Tim Tebow.

The first installment charts the rise and fall of NFL superstar Hernandez and explores the connections of the disparate strands of his identity, his family, his career, his suicide, and their legacy in sports and American culture.

Tebow and Hernandez were longtime friends going back before their time in the National Football League. They were onetime teammates at the University of Florida, where they won the 2008 SEC Championship and went on to beat Oklahoma for the BCS Championship title. Tebow was known for looking out for Hernandez while on the team, including protecting Hernandez from being kicked off over marijuana use and helping to diffuse a situation in a bar when Hernandez got into an altercation with the bar manager. The two first met when Tebow hosted Hernandez on a recruiting trip to UF before he graduated high school.

Both castings were completed in early 2023, prior to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, but were never confirmed by FX.

“We have a fairly complete set of scripts for American Sports Story by Stu Zicherman,” FX chairman John Landgraf said back on January 12, noting at the time that the series is “heading toward production.”

That was delayed by the WGA strike, which started in May, and the SAG-AFTRA strike, which has been going on since July.

American Sports Story, one of two new offshoots in Murphy’s “American Story” franchise alongside American Love Story, is a scripted anthological limited series focusing on a prominent event involving a sports figure and re-examines it through the prism of today’s world, telling that story from multiple perspectives.

Rivera next stars in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. He recently played Chino in Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of West Side Story. He notably performed in the original company on the first national tour of Hamilton.

RMAND Among Emerging Latin Artists Taking Part in NFL, Neon16 & Ntertain Content Series

Posted on August 20, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

RMAND is getting in the game…

The Dominican singer from Netflix’s reality music competition show La Firma is among the emerging Latin artists will join NFL Latino players in an upcoming content series as part of a special partnership between the National Football League, Neon16 and Ntertain Studios for the 2023 season.

The deal also includes new music releases that will comprise of a new volume for the next Por La Cultura mixtape.

NFL’s season-long campaign Por La Cultura will continue to spotlight Latin players, coaches and staff members to celebrate Latin excellence while telling their own stories of the community.

“Music is a leading passion point for Latinos, and we feel this partnership is an ideal platform for celebrating our Latino players and connecting more deeply with our fans,” said Javier Farfan, cultural strategist at the NFL, in a press release. “This content series brings together the commonalities of artists and athletes and their inspirational stories from humble beginnings, as they reach the top of their careers and their goal of stardom. Working with Ntertain and Neon16 allows us to authentically tell these stories with the creative vision of tastemakers at the forefront of Latino culture, music and entertainment.”

By showcasing current NFL Latino players and emerging Neon 16 music artists, the series aims to highlight the diversity and inclusivity of the NFL while celebrating the shared passion for music and football.

“We loved the concept of having our artists collaborate with Latino NFL players to create something as unique as an original song,” added Lex Borrero, co-founder and CEO of Ntertain and Neon16. “While both share Latino heritage, we know that artists and athletes also share a common drive to succeed, the talent to shine and the work ethic to thrive in their respective careers. Unifying these traits and the mutual love and respect for music has led to some incredible art that we can’t wait to share with fans this season.”

This season, the team-up will create original songs and music videos that reflects Latino NFL players and the artist’s shared passion for music, football, and community.

The first one “#0B,” an energetic electronic banger by RMAND, draws inspiration from the artist’s experience working with Miami Dolphins’ wide receiver Braxton Berrios, who is of Puerto Rican descent and wears the number zero.

“0B” is slated to release on the third week of the NFL regular season, leading up to the Miami Dolphins Latino Heritage Month game and home opener on September 24th.

Another player and artist collaboration will drop later in the season, joining the RMAND and Berrios song as this season’s Por La Cultura mixtape.

Furthermore, the NFL Shop commercial for this year will also feature RMAND as well as Neon16’s Alex Ponce and Nashy-Nashai; the commercial’s score will be done by the label. Neon16 will also produce four exclusive tracks for the NFL and its 32 clubs to use as part of their soundtrack for the upcoming season.

“With more than 31 million NFL fans in the United States, there is no doubt that Latinos continue to fall in love with the sport of football every day,” said Marissa Solis, NFL SVP global brand and consumer marketing. “We want to inspire Latinos with the lyrics and melodies created by these talented NEON16 artists in the same way they get excited for a perfectly executed pass and catch for a touchdown. This partnership unifies the heroes of stage and sport through their common bond as Latinos representing ‘por la cultura.’”

Last year, the NFL and Neon16 announced their 10-track debut Por La Cultura Mixtape: Vol. 1, featuring El Alfa, Will.I.Am., Yandel, Snow Tha Product, Anthony Ramos, Trueno and more, and beats by producers Albert Hype, Jodosky and Chael.

The NFL, Ntertain, and Neon16 partnership kicked off in 2021, when Latin artists Jodosky, Kris Floyd and Álvaro Díaz were invited guests of the NFL League.

This collaboration is one of the NFL’s ambitious plan to go all in on Latin music and its growing fanbase.

Last year, J Balvin became the first Latin headliner to perform for the league’s yearly free Kickoff Concert. Last November, the NFL also recruited Tijuana superstars Grupo Firme to perform at the halftime show for its annual Mexico City game, featuring the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers.

https://twitter.com/rmandofficial/status/1692599481785540957

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: National Football League