Cairo Santos Salary, Net Worth 2023: The Brazilian Kicker Who Made History in the NFL

Cairo Santos is a professional American football placekicker who plays for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He is the first Brazilian born player in NFL history and one of the most accurate kickers in the league. In this article, we will explore his salary, net worth, earning career, education, partner, parents, family, age, and bio in detail.

Cairo Santos Bio

Cairo Fernandes Santos was born on November 12, 1991, in Limeira, São Paulo, Brazil. His father, Cairo Santos Sr., was a pilot for Varig, a Brazilian airline, and his mother, Magalie Santos, was a flight attendant. He has a younger brother, Caio Santos, who is also a soccer player.

Cairo Santos grew up in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, where he played soccer as a child. He was unfamiliar with American football until he moved to St. Augustine, Florida, as a foreign exchange student at age 15. He attended St. Joseph Academy, where he learned English and discovered his talent for kicking. He stayed in Florida for the rest of his high school years, earning a college scholarship for his kicking skills.

Cairo Santos enrolled at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he majored in cell and molecular biology. He played for the Tulane Green Wave football team from 2010 to 2013, setting several records and winning several awards. He became the second kicker in NCAA history to make at least 20 field goals in a season without a miss, and the first kicker to win the Lou Groza Award, which is given to the nation’s best collegiate placekicker, as a unanimous choice. He was also named a consensus All-American in 2012.

Cairo Santos entered the 2014 NFL Draft, but was not selected by any team. He signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent, becoming the first Brazilian player in the NFL. He played for the Chiefs from 2014 to 2017, making 89 of 105 field goals and 125 of 130 extra points. He also set the franchise record for the longest field goal, with 55 yards.

Cairo Santos suffered a groin injury in 2017, which led to his release from the Chiefs. He then signed with the Chicago Bears, but played only three games before being placed on injured reserve. He was released by the Bears in 2018, and signed with the New York Jets, but did not play a single game due to another groin injury. He then joined the Los Angeles Rams, where he played two games, making five of six field goals and five of six extra points. He was released by the Rams in 2018, and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he played seven games, making nine of 12 field goals and 17 of 17 extra points.

Cairo Santos signed with the Tennessee Titans in 2019, but was released after four games, in which he made only four of nine field goals and 12 of 12 extra points. He then returned to the Chicago Bears in 2020, where he had a career-best season, making 30 of 32 field goals and 36 of 37 extra points. He also set the franchise record for the most consecutive field goals made, with 27. He was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for December 2020, and the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 8 and Week 16 of the 2020 season. He signed a five-year contract extension with the Bears in 2021, worth $16 million, with $9 million guaranteed.

Cairo Santos Salary and Net Worth

According to Spotrac, Cairo Santos has earned a total of $14,372,500 from his NFL contracts as of 2021. His average annual salary is $3,200,000, and his current cap hit is $3,000,000. His net worth is estimated to be around $5 million.

Cairo Santos Partner and Family

Cairo Santos is married to Nicole Santos, a Brazilian model and actress. They met in 2016, when Cairo was playing for the Chiefs, and got married in 2019, in a ceremony in Brazil. They have a son, Cairo Santos Jr., who was born in 2020. They currently live in Chicago, Illinois.

Cairo Santos is very close to his parents and brother, who often visit him in the US. He also has a large extended family in Brazil, who support him from afar. He is proud of his Brazilian heritage and culture, and often speaks Portuguese with his family and friends. He also supports Brazilian soccer teams, such as Flamengo and the national team.

Cairo Santos Age and Height

Cairo Santos is 31 years old as of 2021. He was born on November 12, 1991. He is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters) tall and weighs 175 pounds (79 kilograms). He wears the number 8 jersey for the Bears.

Cairo Santos Career Highlights and Awards

Cairo Santos has had a remarkable career as a kicker, both in college and in the NFL. Here are some of his most notable achievements and honors:

• Lou Groza Award (2012)
• Consensus All-American (2012)
• First-team All-Conference USA (2012, 2013)
• NFL record for the most consecutive field goals made by an undrafted player (27)
• Chicago Bears franchise record for the longest field goal (55 yards)
• Chicago Bears franchise record for the most consecutive field goals made (27)
• NFC Special Teams Player of the Month (December 2020)
• NFC Special Teams Player of the Week (Week 8 and Week 16, 2020)

Conclusion

Cairo Santos is a Brazilian kicker who has made history in the NFL. He is one of the most accurate and consistent kickers in the league, and a valuable asset for the Chicago Bears. He has overcome many challenges and injuries, and has proven himself as a reliable and clutch performer. He is also a role model and an inspiration for many young athletes, especially in Brazil, where American football is not very popular. He is a proud Brazilian who represents his country and culture with dignity and respect.

Most Asked Questions and Answers

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers about Cairo Santos:

Q: How do you pronounce Cairo Santos?

A: Cairo Santos is pronounced as KY-ro SAN-tos, with the emphasis on the first syllable of each word.

Q: What is Cairo Santos’ nickname?

A: Cairo Santos’ nickname is Zica, which is a Brazilian slang term for something cool or awesome.

Q: How did Cairo Santos learn to kick?

A: Cairo Santos learned to kick by playing soccer in Brazil, where he was a goalkeeper. He also practiced with a Brazilian kicking coach, Carlos Santos, who is not related to him.

Q: What is Cairo Santos’ favorite food?

A: Cairo Santos’ favorite food is feijoada, which is a traditional Brazilian dish of black beans and meat, served with rice, kale, and orange slices.

Q: What is Cairo Santos’ favorite movie?

A: Cairo Santos’ favorite movie is The Avengers, which he watched with his teammates in 2012, before winning the Lou Groza Award.

Q: What is Cairo Santos’ favorite hobby?

A: Cairo Santos’ favorite hobby is playing video games, especially FIFA and Call of Duty.

Q: What is Cairo Santos’ charity work?

A: Cairo Santos is involved in several charitable causes, such as the American Cancer Society, the Boys and Girls Club of America, and the Smile Train, which provides free cleft lip and palate surgeries for children in developing countries. He also supports the growth of American football in Brazil, by hosting camps and clinics for young players.

Q: What is Cairo Santos’ dream?

A: Cairo Santos’ dream is to win a Super Bowl with the Chicago Bears, and to play in a NFL game in Brazil, in front of his family and fans.

Q: Who is Cairo Santos’ idol?

A: Cairo Santos’ idol is Adam Vinatieri, who is a former NFL kicker and a four-time Super Bowl champion. Cairo Santos admires his longevity, accuracy, and clutchness.

Q: What is Cairo Santos’ motto?

A: Cairo Santos’ motto is “Never give up”, which he learned from his father, who taught him to persevere and overcome obstacles.