Here’s a look at some foreign players with flair on the field that you need to know.
The NFL is known to attract the most talented football players across the United States. Though it may be considered one of America’s national sports, it has attracted international players for decades. Labeled “American football” due to soccer and rugby’s previous football association, the football played in the NFL is not just comprised of American players. From across the pond to down under, here are some of the NFL’s international players you may or may not have known were international.
Chuba Hubbard
Let’s start with the closest proximity to the United States, Canada. Born in Alberta, Canada, Hubbard is a Canadian running back for the Carolina Panthers. After sharing the running back title with Miles Sanders in 2023, come the 2024 season, Hubbard was playing full-time as the running back for the Panthers. During his start, Hubbard averaged 5.1 yards per carry for a total of 818 yards by Week 11 and was ranked in the top five runners in the NFL. He also had 6 ground touchdowns and 1 in-air touchdown to round up his achievements. His dedication, perseverance and team-first mindset have not gone unnoticed. In November 2024, the Panthers signed Hubbard on a $33.2 million contract for the next four years. Former Carolina Panthers player and Hall of Famer, Luke Kuechly, also spoke out on his admiration for Hubbard. “Chuba just keeps his head down, works extremely hard, gets paid, and then just has a career year,” Kuechly said on the Up and Adams Show, “I wish we had 53 Chubas. If we had 53 of those guys we'd be a really good football team." With his remarkable talent, work ethic and leadership, Hubbard is on his way to being one of the best players in Panthers history.
Cairo Santos
Moving down to South America, this player, originally from Brazil, now plays for the Chicago Bears. Santos has posted some remarkable stats throughout his 11 years as a kicker. He has an 85.6% field goal percentage in the regular season and a 100% field goal percentage in the postseason. In the NFL, Santos is tied for having the second most field goals made in a game with 7. Throughout his time with the Bears, he holds the team's record for most consecutive field goals made with 40, the highest single-season field goal completion of 93.8% in the 2020 season and the first kicker to make 8 field goals over 50 yards in a single season in 2024. During this past season with the Bears, Santos had an 88.8% field goal for 50+ yards, 62.5% between 40-49 yards and 100% from 20-39 yards. With stats like these, Santos continues to exemplify his skills, as he focuses on distance and consistency. As the first Brazilian-born player in the NFL, he is representing his country well and proving that South American talent belongs at the highest level of football.
Graham Gano
As we hop over the pond, there are many European players in the NFL. Graham Gano, born in Arbroath, Scotland, is currently a placekicker for the New York Giants. In 2020, during his first year with the Giants, Gano set a team franchise record in Week 5 by successfully kicking three field goals over 50 yards in one game. In 2021, he missed a field goal which placed him in fourth place across the NFL for most consecutive field goals made with 37. During his time with the Carolina Panthers, Gano also set some of the team’s franchise records:
Highest points in a season: 56
Highest points in a game: 5
Highest points in a playoff season: 10
Highest points in a playoff game: 5
He also set the Panthers’ longest field goal record in 2018 when he kicked a 63-yard game-winning field goal against the Giants on Oct. 7. Gano was a kicker during his college career at Florida State University and was inducted into the Florida State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022. Gano has always shown a team-first mindset and works closely with his holder Jamie Gillan and long snapper Casey Kreiter to constantly increase his yardage while still maintaining his consistency. With a drive for success on and off the field, Gano remains one of the most notable international players in the NFL.
Kwity Paye
A defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, Kwity Paye was born in the West African country of Guinea. Selected in the first round in 2021 as the 21st overall pick, Paye was an incredible rookie. During his first season, he recorded 4 sacks, 32 tackles (16 solos), 1 defended pass and 1 forced fumble. His performance had him named on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Heading into the 2024 season, Paye had started all 43 career games he played. He recorded 18.5 sacks, 129 tackles, 29 quarterback hits and 3 forced fumbles. When asked about where Paye stands on the team, Colts general manager, Chris Ballard said: “He had 8.5 sacks last year, plays the crap out of the run, he's a great teammate. I think you know our philosophy; we want to keep as many of our guys as we can. We like Kwity a lot." At the end of the 2024 season, Paye exercised the fifth-year option under the Colts for his rookie contract; he will continue to play in the 2025 season. Displaying grit and drive in each of his games, Paye has also overcome many personal challenges. Born in Guinea as a refugee of the first Liberian Civil War, Paye recognizes the strength it takes to play football and the game of life and never shies away from an opportunity to prove his worth. Another amazing example of the strong international presence in the NFL.
Efe Obada
Of British and Nigerian descent, Efe Obada is another foreign star leaving his mark on the NFL. Pursuing the NFL through the International Player Pathway Program, Obada was the first to make the 53-man active roster with the Carolina Panthers in 2018. As a defensive end for the Washington Commanders, in 2022 he played 17 games and recorded 24 tackles, 4 sacks and 8 quarterback hits. During the 2021 season with the Buffalo Bills, Obada assisted the team in claiming the AFC East title with 12 tackles, 3.5 sacks and a defensive pass. Obada is known for his speed and agility and his position flexibility. During his games, he has been recognized by Commanders coach Ron Rivera for his quick instincts and moves to cover ground. Moving into the 2025 season, barring any further injuries, it will be interesting to watch the Nigerian defensive end continue to exemplify his talent.
Younghoe Koo
Rounding out our international players, Younghoe Koo is a South Korean placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons. In the 2024 season, Koo successfully recorded 25 of 34 field goal attempts and completed all 26 of his extra-point tries. He has a 73.4% field goal percentage to round off the season with 101 points overall. Throughout his career, Koo has an overall field goal percentage of 86.1% and 710 points. He is ranked sixth on the NFL’s all-time field goal percentage and in 2020, was named to the Pro Bowl thanks to his league-leading scoring in the season. Falcons coach, Raheem Morris, does not hold back from praising Koo for his perseverance and mental toughness. “Younghoe Koo is one of those guys that’s mentally tough,” Morris discussed after Koo’s injury in November. “He’s sharp, he’s focused and he’s able to go out there and win football games (...) my confidence is at a high level with him.” Constantly holding himself accountable and working on bettering his plays, Koo is a remarkable player and consistently proves that NFL-level talent can be found globally.
Jordan Mailata
We cannot forget the Australian who just won a SuperBowl with the Philadelphia Eagles, offensive tackle Jordan Mailata. Originally from Sydney, Mailata began his athletic journey as a rugby player. He switched to football eight years ago when he traveled across the world to the United States, and it was the best decision he could have made. Now playing on one of the strongest offensive lines in the NFL, Mailata was known in rugby for demolishing the players who faced him. In 2017, he joined the International Players Pathway Program to learn how to use his strength on the gridiron. Offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland of the Eagles had seen videos of Mailata’s work throughout the program and immediately saw his potential for the team’s offence. Soon after, Mailata was drafted in the 7th round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Eagles. Since 2020, Mailata has played in just over 65% of the team’s snaps and started for 77 games including the regular season and playoffs. He has now played in two Super Bowls and is the first Australian to ever hold the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Continuously demonstrating grit, resilience and dedication to a game he once had never heard of, Mailata is said to have the ‘greatest story in football’.
International Players Pathway Program
You may have noticed this mentioned a couple of times when discussing the foreign players' journeys. The NFL began the International Players Pathway Program in 2017 to provide international athletes with the opportunity to earn their spot and play in the NFL. The athletes selected come from various backgrounds, both athletically and nationally, and offer diversity in athletic skills and experiences. Since its establishment, 37 international players have signed with NFL teams, 18 of whom are currently still on the rosters.
Training begins in January at the IMG Academy in Florida and runs for 10 weeks before players showcase the skills they have learned and refined to NFL club scouts in March. Once training is complete, 16 athletes are selected to fill a 17th practice squad roster spot for any team in the NFL. The program was established to reach the goal of developing football globally and bringing in more international players to the NFL, and it has successfully proven to reach talented athletes from across the globe.
So next time you watch your favorite teams in 2025, look out for some of these players. If you can see their helmets up close, our international favorites wear their home country and the United States flag to honor the countries they play for. There’s more foreign flair on the field than you may think, and it’s about time we recognized the constant growth across the globe of this game we love so much.
Edited by Madison Roost
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