The stocky player said that after his signing by the Dolphins, the NFL has also shown interest in coming to recruit talent to the Dominican Republic.
Miami Dolphins tackle Bayron Matos pledged to join forces with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation (MIDEREC) so that in the future the Dominican Republic will host an NFL game.
Matos, who has just made history by becoming the first player born in the Dominican Republic to make it to the NFL, also expressed his desire for other native-born Quisqueyanos to make their way in the demanding sport, as in his case.
Matos was born in the populous sector of Los Mina, on December 8, 2000. The 6’9″, 340-pound athlete spoke about his personal and professional projects at the reception offered by the Ministry of Sports.
Matos was received in the office of Minister Francisco Camacho, by Franklin de la Mota, Vice Minister of Administration, who assured that, for the government, President Luis Abinader and Miderec “it will be a great honor to work hand in hand with the soccer player to bring the NFL to the Dominican Republic”.
The burly player expressed that, after his signing by the Dolphins, the NFL has also shown interest in coming to attract talent to the Dominican Republic.
“We are going to make every effort in both directions so that our country can export more product to American soccer and that in the future other natives like me can make the leap,” he said.
Matos signed a three-season contract as an undrafted player, and next season he will try to earn a spot on the Dolphins’ regular team.
He was accompanied by his brother Ismael Matos García, who also intends to try to reach the NFL through the International Player Pathway, the program that served as a platform for Matos in his journey to American soccer. He was also accompanied by Agrys Gil, publicist and assistant to Matos and Eros Braccin, president of the Dominican Federation of American Football.
Matos narrated that before traveling to the United States on scholarship to play basketball for Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, Florida, he tried to find a signature as a pitcher, through the Franklin Ferreras Baseball Academy.
“I practiced baseball between the ages of 13 and 16 because my mother, Kirsys Garcia’s, dream was for me to be a baseball player, but my passion was basketball. On weekends when I was at liberty, I would escape to the court and tell my mom that I was at the academy, and the owners of the program, that I was at home. During that time I tried to earn a spot on the youth national team that was training for an international event, but it wasn’t possible,” he revealed.
He added that before trying his luck in the NFL through the International Player Pathway program that recruits players from around the world -not native to the United States- with the aptitude and potential to reach the NFL, he played high school basketball in some provinces of the country -La Romana, San Pedro and La Vega- and that at the time of joining the IPP, he was reinforcing in the professional basketball league of Venezuela.
Here he was drafted last year by the Soles de Santo Domingo, who play in the National Basketball League (LNB).
De la Mota highlights player
On his side, Franklin de la Mota highlighted the humility that characterizes the player and his identification with his country.
“Matos has an incredible human quality, a player who works hard to be an insignia and a country brand, as we have athletes in baseball, basketball and in many other sports,” said De la Mota.
Of Bayron Matos, De la Mota ponders the pride the player expresses for his Dominicanidad, of the neighborhood that saw him born and grow up until the age of 16 when he emigrated to the United States, and of his Los Mineros friends.
“In Matos, the Dominican Republic has a great athlete who has not only strived to achieve his dreams as an athlete, but has combined sports with studies and as he himself has revealed, he has a degree in criminology and education.”
De la Mota promised Bayron Matos that when he returns to the country he will be received by President Luis Abinader and Sports Minister Francisco Camacho.
Jose Paulino, director of the PARNI program, was also present at the activity.
Source:Noticiassin.com
