Andy Borregales will become this Sunday the first Venezuelan to play in a Super Bowl. He will do it with his New England Patriots against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara and with the special support of his family.
“It is a pride that he represents the country, in Venezuela they are all crazy,” said the kicker’s parents in an interview with EFE.
Andy’s parents arrive in San Francisco
Two days away from the most important game of his life, Andy Borregales’ parents, Vivian and Enrique, arrived at the San Francisco airport on a flight from Miami.
They proudly sport Patriots sweatshirts with their son’s number 36, as well as the logo of the University of Miami, where he was educated.
The excitement and tension are evident, but they still stop politely to attend to EFE a few steps away from the terminal.
“Proud, very proud of him, of the team, of everything they’ve accomplished this year.”
“Here we are, with very strong nerves, but here we go. We have just arrived and we hope everything goes well.”
Vivian Martínez, Andy’s mother, told EFE.
“It is a pride that I can represent the country, back in Venezuela we are all crazy.”
“First time there is a Venezuelan in the NFL, and more playing in a Super Bowl, all very new,” he continued.
The support of his family and the encouragement of all of Venezuela
At Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Andy Borregales will have the support of his parents, his brother, his wife and many friends.
But he will also have clear affection from afar from all his country.
“Of course, the whole family will watch the game on television, for sure.”
“I imagine that all of Venezuela for the first time is going to see an American soccer game,” Vivian said.
“And not because of the halftime show,” his father adds with a joke.
Arriving on the Super Bowl stage is very special, especially looking back.
The Borregales came to Miami in 2004, when Andy was about to turn two years old.
“He started playing soccer with his older brother. He at 5 years old and the brother at 10.”
“They played soccer and soccer for 10 years, both sports. You can imagine what the practices were like: running back and forth, running back and forth,” his father said.
“Then, when they went to high school, they dropped soccer; just football,” he added.
From constant training to the Patriots draft
It's a source of pride that he represents the country
Andy Borregales' parents
When Andy Borregales opted for soccer, he began the long road to a scholarship at the University of Miami.
“They started training me to be a good kicker, with different coaches, different companies that do kicking camps.”
“He kept getting better and better and got his scholarship to the University of Miami. Thanks to doing well, he was drafted this year by the Pats,” Vivian said.
With Andy focused on his Patriots ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl, his parents remind EFE of the key to performing at your best.
“It’s all here, in the head. Mental toughness, that’s all he needs. It’s 90 percent in the head and 10 percent in the leg,” they say.
With information from EFE
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com
