EAGAN, Minn. – Sammis Reyes has quite a unique story.
The Vikings signed Reyes after he participated on a pro tryout basis in last week's rookie minicamp, Minnesota announced Monday.
The tight end is joining the Vikings through the NFL's International Player Pathway (IPP) program and does not count against the 90-player offseason roster limit.
Reyes started his NFL career in 2021 as an undrafted free agent. He made one start for Washington that season and appeared in 11 games, primarily on special teams.
Reyes spent the 2022 campaign on the Bears practice squad and joined the Jaguars in May 2023 before initially retiring in August. He opted to make another run at the league, however, and impressed Vikings coaches last weekend.
Here are five things to know about Minnesota's new tight end:
- Chilean heritage
Reyes is a native of Talcahuano, Chile, where he grew up as a youth member of the Chilean National Team (basketball). When he was 14 years old, he moved to the United States by himself on an athletic scholarship from North Broward Prep in Florida.
Reyes also was a member of the U15 and U17 Chilean National Teams.
When Reyes made it to the NFL, he became the first Chilean-born player to appear in a game on Oct. 10, 2021.
- Eyed the NBA
Basketball was Reyes' first love, and his initial goal was to make it to the NBA. In fact, when he was encouraged by friends to try American football, he declined because he felt it would impede chances of making it to the pros in basketball.
During his senior season at Broward, Reyes averaged 24.5 points, 13.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.6 blocks per game for the Eagles.
- Pivoted to football
Reyes started his collegiate career at Hawai'i but transferred after a semester to Palm Beach State Junior College, where he helped lead the basketball team to a 24-8 record and a semifinals appearance.
He next transferred to Tulane, where he played 32 games but averaged less than one basket and 1.5 rebounds per contest. He finished his hoops tenure at Loyola University in Louisiana.
Understanding his NBA dream wouldn't be realized, Reyes decided to give American football a try.
"Every single person around me was begging me to play. They were like, 'You are too athletic not to be in the NFL, it's insane,' " Reyes recalled after signing with Washington in 2021. "Everyone convinced me. My friends, my closest friends, my family, and I had over 12 agents reach out to me at the time."
- Fan of Santiago Ford
Reyes is an avid supporter of Santiago Ford, a Chilean decathlete who was a gold medalist at the 2023 Pan American Games.
Reyes was interviewed about Ford at the games in November and expressed how much pride he has in the talented athlete.
He also added the following comment about Ford:
"Santiago Ford has one of the most inspiring stories I've ever heard, and we (all Chileans) are very proud and thankful to have him represent us at the highest level of sports."
- Fashion forward
Reyes participated in New York Fashion Week 2023 and walked the runway.
