Overview:
A have a look at NFL gamers and coaches of Haitian descent coming into the 2025 season, from rising stars like Mike Sainristil and Ashton Jeanty to seasoned veterans and coaches shaping the way forward for the league.
We’re formally within the thick of Week 5 of the NFL season, the purpose the place playoff hopes begin to solidify, and breakout stars start to separate from the pack. Final week, two Haitian-American gamers went head-to-head in an in depth Raiders-Bears conflict, with Las Vegas rookie Ashton Jeanty stealing the highlight. The Boise State alum had an announcement sport, racking up 138 speeding yards, a 64-yard landing run, and two receiving scores, turning into the primary Raiders rookie since Bo Jackson in 1987 to attain three touchdowns in a single sport.
Jeanty’s emergence provides to the rising legacy of Haitian-descended gamers making waves within the NFL. From veteran coaches to rookie playmakers, this season is already exhibiting how deep and numerous Haiti’s soccer footprint has turn out to be.
As we head deeper into the season, listed here are some Haitian gamers and coaches to regulate, names you’ll possible hear extra about earlier than the playoffs roll round.
Lemuel Jeanpierre (Coach) | Miami Dolphins
Undrafted out of the College of South Carolina in 2010, Lemuel went on to play for the Seattle Seahawks for six years from 2010-2015 now serves as an offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins coming into his fifteenth season with the NFL.
Jacques Cesaire (Coach) | Cleveland Browns
Cesaire performed 9 years for the San Diego Chargers. He’s at the moment the Cleveland Browns’ line of defense coach, after earlier stints with the Buffalo Payments (assistant line of defense) and Houston Texans (line of defense).
#31 – Kerby Joseph (Security) | Detroit Lions
Drafted within the third spherical (97th general) of the 2022 draft from the College of Illinois, Joseph has turn out to be a key member of the Lions’ secondary.
#0 Mike Sainristil (Cornerback) | Washington Commanders
Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sainristil was drafted fiftieth general out of the College of Michigan after successful a Nationwide Title with the Wolverines.
#90 Javontae Jean-Baptiste (Defensive Finish) | Washington Commanders
Jean-Baptiste’s school profession included stints at The Ohio State and Notre Dame. He was drafted within the seventh spherical of 2024 seventh, the identical 12 months as his fellow Haitian teammate Sainristil.
#15 Nikolas Bonitto (Linebacker) | Denver Broncos
Bonitto grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., earlier than being recruited to play for the College of Oklahoma Sooners. The Broncos drafted him within the second spherical (sixty fourth general) of the 2022 draft.
#2 Ashton Jeanty (Working Again) | Las Vegas Raiders
Drafted first spherical sixth pick of Boise State College the Heisman trophy finalist had his Monday Evening Soccer debut in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers.
#47 Ruben Hyppolite II (Linebacker) | Chicago Bears
Hyppolite, who grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., graduated highschool a 12 months early and went on to play for the College of Maryland He was chosen in 2025 within the fourth spherical, making it his first 12 months within the NFL.
#54 Brandon Dorlus (Defensive Deal with) | Atlanta Falcons
Additionally a Fort Lauderdale native, Dorlus performed at Oregon earlier than being drafted within the fourth spherical (109th general) of the 2024 draft. He’s coming into his second NFL season.
#69 Sebastian Joseph-Day (Defensive Finish) | Tennessee Titans
A Tremendous Bowl champion with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022, Joseph-Day later performed for the Los Angeles Chargers and San Francisco 49ers. He now traces up for the Tennessee Titans.