Sammis Reyes Bio
Sammis Daniel Reyes Martel (born October 19, 1995) is a Chilean professional football tight end and former basketball player. The first player from Chile to play in the National Football League (NFL), Reyes grew up playing basketball and later transitioned to American football after a serious injury redirected his career path. He started his professional football career in 2021 with the Washington Football Team after participating in the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program. Reyes has also been a member of the Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Minnesota Vikings, showcasing his athletic versatility across two professional sports.
Early Life and Background
Sammis Daniel Reyes Martel was born on October 19, 1995, in Talcahuano, a port city in the Greater Concepción metropolitan area of Chile. His family moved to Santiago shortly after his birth, where he grew up playing soccer and basketball with early aspirations of reaching the National Basketball Association (NBA). At the age of nine, Reyes joined the Boston College Sports Club, a member of the Liga Nacional de Básquetbol de Chile, and two years later he was recruited to join the Chile national basketball team. He was a member of the Boston College team that finished as runners-up of the 2014 Campioni del Domani, a prominent Chilean youth basketball tournament.
While on a United States tour with the Chilean youth national team in 2010, Reyes was scouted by American recruiters and offered a scholarship to attend a school in the Miami metropolitan area. He accepted the offer and left Chile on his own at age 14, arriving in the United States knowing almost no English. He quickly learned the language through exposure from films and music, while also forming friendships that would shape his adolescent years. After briefly attending Saint Andrews School in Boca Raton and Westlake Prep, Reyes transferred to North Broward Preparatory School in Coconut Creek, Florida, where he completed his high school education.
Path to American Football
Reyes signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball at the University of Hawaii in 2014, but a hand injury during practice forced him to miss his freshman season. He later dropped out and returned to Florida before attending a semester at Palm Beach State College, where he played for their basketball team. He then transferred to Tulane University in 2016 and spent two seasons with the Tulane Green Wave, though he played in just two games in 2017 after opting out due to limited playing time. Reyes graduated from Tulane’s Freeman School of Business with a degree in business management before playing his final year of collegiate eligibility for the Loyola Wolf Pack at Loyola University New Orleans in 2018, where he also earned a Master of Business Administration degree.
Reyes ended his basketball career after Chile failed to qualify for the 2019 FIBA World Cup and briefly worked as an athletic trainer until the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 ended that role. He then worked as a driver for DoorDash before deciding to pursue professional American football, a sport he had been advised to try by several teammates and coaches since arriving in the United States. Despite knowing almost nothing about the game, he applied for and was accepted into the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program (IPPP) as a tight end prospect. He spent ten weeks training at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, before participating in the University of Florida’s Pro Day on March 31, 2021, where his athletic performance attracted interest from multiple NFL teams.
Sammis Reyes Career
Early Career (2021)
On April 13, 2021, Reyes accepted a three-year contract from the Washington Football Team, citing his residency in the Washington metropolitan area and his fit with the team’s culture. He became the first Chilean-born player in the NFL upon signing, and he was also selected by the Toronto Argonauts in the fourth round of the 2021 CFL Global Draft. Reyes made his professional debut against the New Orleans Saints in October 2021, playing a limited number of snaps on special teams.
He finished his rookie season appearing in 11 games, primarily on special teams, where he recorded two tackles. During training camp for the 2022 season, Reyes suffered a hamstring injury and was placed on injured reserve before being released by the team with an injury settlement on August 23, 2022. His time in Washington demonstrated his raw athletic potential despite limited offensive production.
Chicago Bears Era (2022)
On October 18, 2022, Reyes signed with the Chicago Bears’ practice squad, marking his second NFL team in less than two years. His stint with the Bears allowed him to continue developing his football fundamentals while adjusting to a new organization and coaching staff.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2023)
On May 16, 2023, Reyes signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in search of a fresh opportunity. However, on August 14, 2023, Reyes announced his retirement from professional football through his Instagram account, citing a concussion as the reason for his decision. The early retirement reflected the physical toll the sport had taken on his body after years of high-level athletic competition.
Reyes stated his desire to return to football on February 28, 2024, and was subsequently waived by the Jaguars as he worked toward a comeback. His openness about concussion-related struggles helped raise awareness about player health and safety in contact sports.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2024–Present)
On May 13, 2024, Reyes signed with the Minnesota Vikings through the International Player Pathway Program, reviving his NFL career after a year away from active rosters. He was waived on August 26, 2024, and signed to the practice squad two days later, allowing him to continue his development within the Vikings organization.
Notable Events and Milestones
Reyes’s most significant milestone came on April 13, 2021, when he became the first Chilean-born player in the NFL, a historic achievement for South American representation in American football. His signing with the Minnesota Vikings through the International Player Pathway Program in 2024 represented another notable chapter, as he became one of the few players to return to the NFL after a documented retirement.
Sammis Reyes Career Wins
Sammis Daniel Reyes Martel’s professional journey has been defined more by perseverance and historic firsts than by championship victories. As a tight end who transitioned from basketball, his statistical production has been limited, with his most visible contributions coming on special teams during his rookie season with the Washington Football Team in 2021.
NFL Highlights
Reyes appeared in 11 games during his 2021 rookie season with the Washington Football Team, recording two tackles on special teams. His NFL career has included stints with four different franchises: the Washington Football Team, the Chicago Bears, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Minnesota Vikings. While individual game statistics are limited, his signing with each team represents a verified professional achievement within the league.
Other Wins & Performances
Before his NFL career, Reyes was a member of the Boston College team that finished as runners-up of the 2014 Campioni del Domani, a Chilean youth basketball tournament. He also represented Chile in international basketball events, including the 2011 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship and the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers. These basketball accomplishments established his athletic pedigree before his transition to American football.
Sammis Reyes Family
Personal Life
Limited public information is available about Sammis Daniel Reyes Martel’s family background, including his parents and any siblings. At the age of 14, he moved from Chile to the United States on his own to pursue an athletic scholarship, eventually living with the family of music entrepreneur Steve Rifkind after befriending his son, Alex Rifkind, through an Amateur Athletic Union basketball circuit. Reyes appeared in a 2021 Chilean advertisement for Pepsi Zero, representing one of his earliest commercial endorsements as a professional athlete.
2025 Season Performance
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Sammis Daniel Reyes Martel remains with the Minnesota Vikings after being signed through the International Player Pathway Program in May 2024. His placement on the practice squad following the 2024 preseason suggests the team values his athletic upside and developmental potential as a tight end prospect. The upcoming season represents an important opportunity for Reyes to earn an expanded role within the Vikings’ offensive scheme.
As one of the few players to return to the NFL after an announced retirement, Reyes carries a compelling storyline that could resonate with teammates and fans alike. His combination of basketball-honed footwork, height, and reach gives him a unique athletic profile at the tight end position. Continued health and consistency in training will be essential for him to secure a more permanent roster spot.
With the Minnesota Vikings providing a stable environment and the International Player Pathway Program supporting his development, the 2025 season offers a realistic platform for Sammis Daniel Reyes Martel to build on his historic status as Chile’s first NFL player. His journey from Chilean basketball prodigy to international football trailblazer continues to inspire aspiring athletes across South America.