Steelers host record-holding international prospect in rookie minicamp
As Pittsburgh Steelers' scouts watched closely on an April morning in Mexico City, kicker Alfredo Gachúz nailed his 58-yard field goal attempt to end what was an impressive and consistent showing. This was the type of talent the Steelers had gone abroad looking for. Mark Gorsack, who's scouted for the Steelers for 29 years, was […]
As Pittsburgh Steelers' scouts watched closely on an April morning in Mexico City, kicker Alfredo Gachúz nailed his 58-yard field goal attempt to end what was an impressive and consistent showing. This was the type of talent the Steelers had gone abroad looking for.
Mark Gorsack, who's scouted for the Steelers for 29 years, was joined by Raul Allege (two-time Super Bowl-winning kicker born in Mexico) and Shaun Suisham, former Steelers kicker for a kicking camp put together by the team in their neighbor country.
What they witnessed from Gachúz was impressive enough for Steelers GM Omar Khan to give him an emotional call to inform him they were inviting him to the team's rookie minicamp.
Khan, who spoke in Spanish during the entire phone call, told Gachúz the team thought he did a very good job in the kicking camp and they wanted to try him out this weekend.
Gachúz has been one of the best players in Mexico for a long time and is even considered one of the best 100 players in college football history.
In his collegiate career playing for the Borregos de Estado de México, Gachúz became the all-time leading kicker in points scored with 321 points to his name and the all-time leader in field goals scored. He owns the longest field goal record having nailed a 61-yard attempt as a Borrego.
Gachúz's talent didn't stop shining in college, however. As a pro, he's taken over Mexico's pro football league, the LFA (Liga de Fútbol Americano). He was recently drafted by the CFL earlier in May.
NFL fans in Mexico, of which there are many, are well aware of Gachuz's journey with the Steelers as it has dominated the football news cycle. Ultimately, it's clear Gachúz is a longshot. Especially when you consider his 26 years old. But you can bet an entire nation is rooting for him this weekend.
