Post Game:

• Through the Uprights
  (Moms’ Playbook Podcast ft. Vivian Martinez — mom of NFL kicker Andy Borregales & Lou Groza winner Jose Borregales)

• Estimated read time: 5 minutes
  Season 1, Episode 6 : Moms’ Playbook with guest Vivian Martinez

• Description:
  From immigrating to the U.S. to raising two elite college and NFL kickers, Vivian Martinez shares the reality of becoming a football family without guidance — navigating camps, language barriers, recruiting mistakes, and the business side of football.

• The Moment Football Entered the Picture

• Vivian Martinez didn’t grow up loving football.

• In fact, she didn’t even understand it.

• The family moved from Venezuela to South Florida for better opportunities — with soccer as their primary focus. Football wasn’t part of the plan… until one day at a practice field.

• Her son Jose saw players in helmets and pads and had one simple request:

• “I just want to wear that.”

• A soccer club parent gave her one piece of advice that changed everything:

• “If he plays kicker… he won’t get hit.”

• That moment didn’t just start football — it created a future NFL draft pick and a college football legend.

• Key Takeaways for Sports Moms

• • You don’t have to understand the sport to support your child
  • Specialists require a completely different path
  • Exposure > talent (if no one sees them, it doesn’t matter)
  • High school film is EVERYTHING for recruiting
  • Too many camps can hurt more than help
  • Language and cultural barriers are real — and solvable

• • The NFL is a business — not always fair

• • Every kid’s path will look different (even in the same family)

• Starting From Scratch (No Blueprint)

• When Vivian entered football, she had:

• • No understanding of the sport
  • No recruiting knowledge
  • Limited English at the time
  • No local network

• Everything had to be figured out in real time.

• “I didn’t even know what a first down was… I had to learn everything.”

• Why Kicking Changed Everything

• Instead of contact positions, Vivian leaned into:

• Special teams (kicking)

• This decision:
  • Reduced injury risk
  • Opened a recruiting niche
  • Became her sons’ identity

• But it also came with a hidden reality:

• It’s one of the hardest and most expensive paths in football.

• The Specialist Reality (What Most Parents Don’t Know)

• Unlike other positions:

• • No 7-on-7 exposure
  • No high-visibility showcases
  • Fewer roster spots
  • Heavy reliance on camps

• And the cost?

• • $250–$300 per camp

• • Travel + hotels + flights

• • Multiple camps across the country

• “In one month, we traveled 12 times for camps.”

• The Biggest Mistake (And Lesson Learned)

• For Jose, they did everything:

• • Too many camps
  • Too much travel
  • Too many reps

• Result?

• Injury from overuse

• “I would tell moms now — do fewer camps, but do them well.”

• Camps vs Training (Critical Difference)

• Camps are for:

• • Exposure
  • Rankings
  • Competition comparison

• Training is for:

• • Mechanics
  • Development
  • Consistency

• “You don’t learn at camps. You prove yourself.”

• The Recruiting Mistake That Cost Opportunities

• Jose had talent. He won camps. He ranked high.

• But one key piece was missing:

• Game film from high school

• Why?

• • His coach didn’t give him opportunities
  • Minimal field goal attempts
  • Limited in-game exposure

• Result:

• • Fewer offers
  • Late scholarship (FIU, senior year)

• “We didn’t know stats from high school mattered that much.”

• What They Did Differently for Andy

• For her younger son, Vivian changed everything:

• Switched schools to get more opportunities
  Found coaches willing to trust kickers
  Reduced camps and avoided overtraining
  Prioritized film and performance

• Result:

• • Offers earlier
  • More opportunities
  • NFL Draft selection (2025, Patriots)

• The Power of the Right Coach

• One of the most important lessons:

• Not all coaches support specialists equally

• Andy’s success came when:

• • Coaches trusted his ability
  • He was allowed to kick in game situations

• “He was hitting 50+ yard field goals… but he needed the chance to show it.”

• The Cultural Challenge (A Perspective Most Don’t Hear)

• Vivian shared something powerful:

• Football is harder for immigrant families

• Barriers include: • Language
  • Complex recruiting systems
  • Lack of guidance
  • Financial strain
  • Limited understanding of the sport

• “In our community, many families stop — it’s just too complicated.”

• College vs NFL: A Hard Reality Shift

• Jose’s journey highlighted the toughest truth:

• College:

• • Relationship-based
  • Development-focused
  • Supportive environment

• NFL:

• • Performance-based
  • Business-driven
  • Replaceable roles

• “You can be the best… but if the situation isn’t right, you won’t get the chance.”

• A Tough Lesson from the NFL

• Jose:

• • Signed with Tampa Bay
  • Was protected on practice squad
  • Never played in preseason

• Result:

• Other teams never saw him

• “They hid him… and that cost him opportunities.”

• The Secret Sauce

• Vivian didn’t take credit for success.

• She gave it to:

• • Work ethic
  • Consistency
  • Discipline
  • Sacrifice

• “They loved kicking… they did the work.”

• What Moms Need to Hear

• Her most important advice:

Don’t try to do everything

 
Focus on quality over quantity

Protect your athlete’s body

Learn the system early

Find the right coaches

• What’s in Mom’s Clear Bag?

• Vivian’s essentials:

• • iPad (records EVERY kick — every game)
  •Towel
  • Portable fan (Miami heat survival)

• Yes — even with TV cameras rolling, she still films every moment ❤️

• Quick Glossary for Football Moms

• • Specialist: Kicker, punter, or snapper
  • Camp Circuit: Recruiting exposure events

• • Practice Squad: NFL developmental roster

• • Protected Player: Cannot be claimed by other teams

• • Transfer Portal: NCAA player movement system

• Final Word from a Football Mom

• “We didn’t know anything… we just figured it out and kept going.”