Brazilian American Football Star Gerson Santos Headed to Conquistador Bowl

Clayton Lovett

10 years ago

American football in Brazil gets recognition with Santos selection

[su_dropcap]A[/su_dropcap]t a ceremony following Saturday’s (August 23) game between the Sao Jose Istepos and the Sao Paulo Storm, in Sao Jose, Santa Catrina, Brazil, Sao Jose Istepos linebacker, Gerson Santos, was formally invited to play in the Conquistador Bowl. Santos is the only player from Central or South America to receive this honor.

The Conquistador Bowl will be held on January 31, 2015, in Cancun, Mexico. The week-long event will showcase draft-eligible players from the United States in 1AA (FCS) and lower divisions, Canada, Japan and Mexico, as they participate in a series of professionally-run practices which will conclude with the Conquistador Bowl game. The selected athletes will have the opportunity to showcase and demonstrate their skills before the watchful eyes of professional team scouts and personnel from all major football leagues, including the NFL, CFL and AFL.

Santos, who has been playing football for less than four years, is 1.78 m (5′ 10″) , 109 kilos (240 lb) and has been clocked at 4.6 in the 40. He is a defensive captain and starter for a Brazilian National Team (Selecao Brasileira) defense that has not given up a single point in the two games since he became a member of the team. Santos` club team, the Sao Jose Istepos, are the back-to-back and reigning State Champions of the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, and currently in the national-level period of their season, where they compete in the Super Liga Nacional de Futebol Americano of the Confederacao Brasileira de Futebol Americano (CBFA). The Istepos and Santos reached the national semi-finals of CBFA competition in 2013. In addition to playing linebacker, Santos has also begun a daily regimine of long snapping, in hopes playing that position too.

Santos is described as “a disruptive force” by Istepos defensive coordinator, Ty Evans. “With a player like him, your defense and special teams always has a chance to not only get stops, but create turnovers, block kicks and score points. Gerson is extremely coachable and a pleasure to work with.” added Evans. “Gerson typifies leadership in that he is always serving others. He is supportive and encouraging of his teammates, but also demanding of everyone on the field to perform at their highest level on every snap, every drill and even during every sprint at the end of practice. Santos makes everyone around him better on the field as a player and off the field as a person. He has an infectious personality and people can`t help but to smile when they are around him. This could not have happened to a better person,” said Evans.

“This is a great opportunity for Gerson. We are extremely happy for him. It`s a big day for the Istepos family and for football in Brazil and South America,” said Istepos head coach, Joao Gabriel Crema.

“A well deserved nomination for one of the best young Brazilian players,” added Team Brazil head coach, Danilo Muller.