- Page 1 of 1
| #1 - Posted 23 July 2008, 3:23 PM | |
 Location: United States, New York, NY Join date: December 2007 Member #: 16 Posts: 586  | Dominicans in the NFL We are starting to branch out big time. I'm glad to see that Dominicans are making an impact in the NFL. The only one I know in NFL is Luis Castillo from the Chargers. If you know of any others please post there information. |
  | |
| Advertisement | |
Sponsored Links | |
| #2 - Posted 23 July 2008, 3:30 PM | |
Location: United States, New York, NY Join date: December 2007 Member #: 16 Posts: 586 | RE: Dominicans in the NFL Castillo agrees to five-year, $43.1 million contract extension Associated Press SAN DIEGO -- Chargers defensive end Luis Castillo came up with a huge sack on Tuesday -- a huge sack of money, that is. Castillo agreed to a five-year contract extension through 2014 valued at about $43 million. The deal will pay Castillo a guaranteed $17.5 million in signing and roster bonuses. "You know I am not usually short of words but today is different," Castillo said. "It's an unbelievable feeling. "Three years ago all I looked for was an opportunity, a chance to come into this league and play and prove the kind of player I was and prove the things I could do on that football field. And to be standing here three years later, committed to San Diego for seven more, it's an unbelievable feeling." Castillo's contract, signed as a rookie in 2005, had been due to expire after the 2009 season. He said the Chargers approached him a few months ago about an extension. "Everybody knows -- look around this team -- of the incredibly talented players we have," said Castillo, who missed six games each of the past two seasons with ankle injuries. "It's a credit to the Chargers to put themselves in this position. They have all these young guys who they are going to have to take care of. Look at their plan. They are doing everything they can do to keep us together. Castillo has 13 sacks in 36 career games, including 33 starts. He had only 2½ sacks last year. Ankle surgery sidelined him for six games but he returned for the playoffs. He was the second of the Chargers' two first-round draft picks in 2005 -- outside linebacker Shawne Merriman was the first -- and entered the league amid some controversy. Castillo tested positive for androstenedione, which is considered a steroid by the NFL, at the 2005 scouting combine. He sent a letter to the 32 NFL teams alerting them of the situation, saying he took it after his final season at Northwestern because of a slow-healing elbow injury. After being drafted by the Chargers, Castillo said it was "a huge mistake" to take the drug to help his performance at the combine. He promised to return his entire signing bonus if he ever tested positive again. He's since stayed clean. "Since his arrival, Luis has played a huge role in the success we've had as a defense," general manager A.J. Smith said in a statement. "He's an ascending player who is committed to getting better." Agent Mike McCartney of Priority Sports in Chicago lauded the Chargers in working out "a great deal for both sides. It's going to be fun to watch Luis play at a Pro Bowl level the next seven years." Coach Norv Turner said announcing Castillo's deal three days before the first full-squad workout of training camp "gives everybody a lift. It tells us what the organization is about. Obviously we are committed to keeping the guys that have been productive and Luis is an outstanding football player and it will make me sleep better each night. He's cranked up and ready to go. He has had a great offseason." The Chargers fell one win short of going to the Super Bowl last season. "Today is a great day but it is just the start of it," Castillo said. "There is so much I want to achieve on the field on an individual basis -- goals of my own -- but there is so much I want to help this team do, to be part of a Super Bowl in San Diego and to be here for a long, long time. "As long as I can step on the field and look my teammates in the eye and know I have done my part, that is what I want to achieve." Castillo will get a signing bonus of $6.15 million and roster bonuses of $4.35 million, $4.75 million and $2.25 million for three straight seasons. |
| |
| #3 - Posted 23 July 2008, 3:44 PM | |
 Location: United States, New York City Join date: February 2008 Member #: 336 Posts: 612 | RE: Dominicans in the NFL I like that this guy put his money where his mouth is by saying he'd return signing bonuses if he ever tests positive again. Unfortunately it sounds form this article like he is injury prone, so I'm shocked by the money on the table. You should add a pic so I can recognize him if he is ever in the Heights or Inwood :  Personal blog: http://harlequinlocke.livejournal.com News & Opinion feed: http://www.google.com/reader/shared/03443266769684001616 |
| |
| #4 - Posted 23 July 2008, 3:47 PM | |
 Location: Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, DN Join date: March 2008 Member #: 478 Posts: 369 | RE: Dominicans in the NFL He is the first and still he is the only Dominican player in the NFL... but more will come... he came to DR some months ago and he was teaching some children how to play....  |
| |
| #5 - Posted 23 July 2008, 4:53 PM | |
Location: United States, New York City Join date: February 2008 Member #: 336 Posts: 612 | RE: Dominicans in the NFL Hmmmm...well Dominicans may unfortunately take to it. Just like baseball you only have to sprint now and then, and you can even have a fat gut. I personally think we should go back to real football...rugby! Personal blog: http://harlequinlocke.livejournal.com News & Opinion feed: http://www.google.com/reader/shared/03443266769684001616 |
| |
| #6 - Posted 24 July 2008, 12:20 PM | |
 Location: United States, Newark, NJ/NYC Join date: July 2008 Member #: 1042 Posts: 132 | RE: Dominicans in the NFL This is great It's always a great thing to see a fellow Dominican be successful in the U.S.  "Worry more about your character than your reputation. Character is what you are, reputation is merely what others think you are" http://www.myspace.com/brickcitydyme |
| |
| #7 - Posted 24 July 2008, 4:09 PM | |
Location: United States, New York, NY Join date: December 2007 Member #: 16 Posts: 586 | RE: Dominicans in the NFL Quote: JEM237 previously said: This is great It's always a great thing to see a fellow Dominican be successful in the U.S. Oh yes JEMS, we are making moves! |
| |
- Page 1 of 1
