Wednesday, March 27th, 2024 will forever remain as a special day for Alejandro Mata. After nearly a decade of living in the US, Colorado’s starting kicker has successfully gained US citizenship.
“Today marks a significant milestone for me as I officially attained US citizenship, making it an exceptionally memorable day,” the kicker wrote in an Instagram post that announced his achievement. “I remain deeply connected to and proud of my Latin-American roots, and I’m committed to representing it with pride. I’m profoundly grateful to the United States for welcoming me and opening new doors in this exciting chapter of my life. Viva México, Vamos Panamá, and God bless America! 🇲🇽🇵🇦🇺🇸”
Alejandro Mata was born in Honduras and also lived in Mexico and Brazil. Once he got to America, he lived in Leesburg, Georgia for four years, and Buford, Georgia for three. At Buford High School, he seized the kicking job as a junior, dominating all kicking duties throughout his final two varsity seasons, during which Buford clinched back-to-back state championships. He earned accolades such as second-team all-state, first-team all-region, and the coveted Touchdown Club of Gwinnett Kicker of the Year award.
His remarkable high school career garnered attention from Coach Deion Sanders at Jackson State University, where he made an immediate impact on Tiger football during his true freshman season. In his debut season in 2022, Mata featured in all 13 games for the team, with his outstanding performance earning him honors with third-team FCS Freshman All-America accolades and named second-team All-SWAC. Once Coach Prime moved to Colorado, so did Mata, where he claimed the starting kicker position halfway through the season for the Buffs and excelled like always.
With his newfound citizenship, Alejandro Mata is not just a member of a football team, but a full-fledged citizen of a nation that he proudly calls home. As he looks ahead to the future, one thing is certain—he is a living testament to the power of perseverance, resilience, and the endless possibilities that await those who dare to pursue the American Dream.
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