José Cortez (born September 13, 1975) is a former professional American football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) and other football leagues. He is noted for his contributions to multiple NFL teams during the early 2000s and for being one of the relatively few players of Salvadoran descent in the league.
Early life and education
- Birthplace: San Salvador, El Salvador.
- Family: Moved to the United States as a child; settled in Washington, D.C. area.
- Attended Washington High School in Silver Spring, Maryland, where he participated in soccer and American football.
College career
- Enrolled at Maryland University (University of Maryland Eastern Shore) before transferring to Northwest Missouri State University.
- Played college football as a placekicker for the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats, gaining recognition for field‑goal accuracy and kickoff distance.
Professional career
| Year | Team | League | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Dallas Cowboys (training camp) | NFL | Signed as an undrafted free agent; released before regular season. |
| 2000 | San Francisco 49ers (practice squad) | NFL | Practice squad member; later promoted to active roster. |
| 2000–2002 | San Francisco 49ers | NFL | Appeared in 14 games; recorded 15/22 field‑goal attempts (68.2%); 33 extra points made. |
| 2003 | Kansas City Chiefs | NFL | Served as the team's primary kicker for part of the season. |
| 2003 | St. Louis Rams | NFL | Brief tenure; participated in several games. |
| 2004 | Seattle Seahawks | NFL | Played in select regular‑season games. |
| 2005 | Barcelona Dragons | NFL Europe | Competed in the European branch of the NFL. |
| 2006 | New York Jets (training camp) | NFL | Signed for preseason; did not make final roster. |
| 2007 | Georgia Force | Arena Football League (AFL) | Transitioned to indoor football; served as placekicker and punter. |
| 2008 | Denver Broncos (training camp) | NFL | Attended training camp; released before season start. |
- Throughout his NFL career, Cortez played a total of 32 regular‑season games, converting 45 of 57 field‑goal attempts (78.9%) and 98 of 103 extra‑point attempts (95.1%).
- Known for a strong leg, he recorded several kicks over 55 yards.
Post‑football activities
- After retiring from professional play, Cortez has been involved in coaching at the high‑school level, focusing on special‑teams techniques.
- He has participated in community outreach programs aimed at promoting sports participation among Latino youth.
Personal life
- Holds dual citizenship with the United States and El Salvador.
- Married with children; resides in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
Legacy
José Cortez is recognized for breaking cultural barriers within American football, representing the Salvadoran community and contributing to the growing diversity of the sport’s player base. His career exemplifies the path of an undrafted specialist who secured multiple roster spots across the NFL and related leagues.
