Sammis Reyes
A Chilean athlete who made history by leaping from the basketball court to the NFL, becoming his nation's first player in the league.
Born 1995 (age 31)·Chilean basketball and gridiron football player·Birthday: October 19·Millennials
Biography
Sammis Reyes's story reads like a sports fairy tale. Born in 1995 in Chile, he was a standout basketball player from his youth, representing his country internationally. A growth spurt and raw athleticism earned him a scholarship to the United States at 14. He bounced through several college basketball programs, showcasing power but never finding a permanent home. In 2020, with his basketball prospects dimming, he attended an NFL International Player Pathway Program tryout. Scouts saw his 6'5", 260-pound frame and explosive athleticism as perfect for a tight end—a position he had never played. He taught himself football fundamentals in months. The Washington Football Team (now Commanders) signed him in 2021, making him the first Chilean-born player on an NFL roster. His on-field tenure was brief, but his path—a late, audacious switch between two elite sports—redefined what's possible for international athletes.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Sammis was born in 1995, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Sammis Was Born
The biggest hits of 1995
#1 Movie
Toy Story
Best Picture
Braveheart
#1 TV Show
Seinfeld
Sammis's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1995Born
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2000Started school
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2008Became a teenager
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Could drive
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2013Could vote
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2016Turned 21
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2025Turned 30
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 31 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became the first player from Chile to sign with an NFL team, joining the Washington Commanders in 2021.
- Successfully transitioned from professional basketball to American football through the NFL International Player Pathway Program.
- Represented Chile as a youth national team player in basketball before switching sports.
Did You Know?
He did not play organized American football until he was 25 years old.
He is fluent in Spanish, English, and French.
His first NFL reception was a 2-yard catch against the Green Bay Packers in 2021.
“I will find a way to compete, whether it's on the court or on the field.”
