Rigoberto Jovany Sanchez Bio
Rigoberto Jovany Sanchez is an American professional football punter and kickoff specialist for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors and was signed by the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Sanchez has established himself as one of the NFL’s most consistent punters, earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors multiple times throughout his career. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2017 following an impressive debut season with the Colts.
Early Life and Background
Rigoberto Sanchez was born on September 8, 1994, in Chico, California. He grew up playing soccer before joining his high school’s football team at Hamilton Union High School in Hamilton City, California. His journey to professional football included stops at two colleges before reaching the NFL.
Sanchez initially played football for Butte College in Oroville, California, located roughly 30 miles southeast of Hamilton City. The experience at the junior college level helped develop his skills and positioned him for the next step in his football career.
Path to American Football
After his time at Butte College, Sanchez transferred to the University of Hawaii, where he played for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. His versatility as both a punter and placekicker made him a valuable asset for the Rainbow Warriors.
During the 2015 season, Sanchez punted 74 times for 3,335 net yards, averaging 45.1 yards per punt. He also handled placekicking duties, converting 23 of 24 extra point attempts and 8 of 11 field goal attempts. The following year, he continued his strong performance, punting 70 times for 3,122 net yards while converting 49 of 50 extra point attempts and all 13 field goal attempts. His perfect 2016 season on field goals showcased his leg strength and consistency, which translated well to the professional level.
Rigoberto Jovany Sanchez Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Sanchez was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2017. He competed for the starting punter job against veteran Jeff Locke and won the position heading into the regular season. His strong training camp performance secured his role on the roster.
On September 10, 2017, Sanchez made his NFL debut in the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. During the 46–9 loss, he punted six times for 302 total yards, averaging 50.3 yards per punt. He finished his rookie year with 84 punts for 3,764 net yards, averaging 44.81 yards per punt. His consistent performance earned him a place on the PFWA All-Rookie Team, validating the Colts’ decision to sign him as an undrafted free agent.
Establishing Himself (2019–2021)
In the 2018 season, Sanchez continued his development with 57 punts for 2,629 net yards, averaging 46.12 yards per punt. His sophomore season showed improvement in his overall average and consistency. On June 4, 2019, Sanchez signed a four-year, $11.6 million contract extension with the Colts through the 2023 season, reflecting the team’s confidence in his abilities. He recorded 59 punts with a 44.39 average during the 2019 season.
The 2020 season saw Sanchez average 46.19 yards per punt on 42 attempts as he continued to anchor the Colts’ special teams unit. In Week 4 of the 2021 season, Sanchez earned his first AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honor after averaging 50 yards per punt on four attempts against the Miami Dolphins, including two punts inside the 20-yard line. Three weeks later, he kicked the longest punt of his career and in franchise history at 79 yards during a road victory over the San Francisco 49ers, earning him a second AFC Special Teams Player of the Week recognition. He finished the 2021 season with 59 punts for a 44.53 average.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2022–Present)
On August 31, 2022, Sanchez was placed on season-ending injured reserve after suffering a torn Achilles. The injury marked a significant setback in his career, but he worked through rehabilitation to return to play. In the 2023 season, Sanchez bounced back with 68 punts for 3,281 total yards, averaging 48.25 yards per punt.
On March 12, 2024, the Colts signed Sanchez to a three-year contract extension, securing his future with the franchise. During Week 6 of the 2024 season, he earned another AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honor after punting five times with three punts inside the 20-yard line and two inside the 10-yard line in a victory over the Tennessee Titans. He finished the 2024 season with 68 punts for 3,382 yards, averaging 49.7 yards per punt. In the 2025 season, Sanchez continued his strong performance with 44 punts for 2,146 yards, averaging 48.8 yards per punt.
Driving Style and Strengths
Sanchez has built a reputation as one of the NFL’s most consistent punters, known for his ability to pin opposing teams deep in their territory. His leg strength allows him to boom long punts when needed, while his precision enables him to place kicks strategically for his coverage units. His partnership with the Colts’ coaching staff has helped maximize his effectiveness, and his experience has made him a reliable weapon for the team’s special teams.
Notable Events and Milestones
The 79-yard punt against the San Francisco 49ers in 2021 stands as a career highlight and franchise record. His multiple AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors throughout his career underscore his impact on game days. His resilience in returning from a torn Achilles in 2022 demonstrated his dedication to the sport.
Rigoberto Jovany Sanchez Career Wins
Throughout his career with the Indianapolis Colts from 2017 through 2025, Sanchez has accumulated impressive statistics that highlight his consistency and reliability as a punter in the NFL.
NFL Highlights
As of the 2025 season, Sanchez has recorded 481 career punts for 22,388 punting yards with a 46.5-yard average. His career highlights include a longest punt of 79 yards and 186 punts inside the 20-yard line. He has earned multiple AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors, including recognition in the 2021 and 2024 seasons. His 2024 season average of 49.7 yards per punt on 68 attempts demonstrates his continued excellence at the highest level of professional football.
Other Achievements
Beyond his punting prowess, Sanchez holds a unique place in NFL history with his passing statistics. He has completed his only career pass attempt for 16 yards, resulting in a perfect 118.8 passer rating. This versatility adds to his value as a special teams weapon for the Colts.
| Series | Punts | Yards | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Regular Season (Career) | 481 | 22,388 | 46.5 |
Rigoberto Jovany Sanchez Family
Family Background
Sanchez grew up in Chico, California, and is of Mexican descent. His roots in Northern California shaped his early development before his football career took him across the country to Hawaii and eventually to Indianapolis.
Personal Life
Sanchez met his wife, Cynthia, when they attended junior college together. She grew up in Corning, California, a nearby community to Sanchez’s hometown. After receiving blessings from her family, Sanchez proposed to Cynthia at the Circle of Lights at Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis on December 26, 2017. They married the following spring in 2018. On November 30, 2020, it was announced that Sanchez would undergo surgery the following day to have a cancerous tumor removed. The surgery was reported as successful, and he returned to practice two weeks later, demonstrating his resilience and determination.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Sanchez’s ninth year with the Indianapolis Colts. He continued his role as the team’s primary punter and kickoff specialist, maintaining the consistency that has defined his career. Throughout the season, he demonstrated his ability to flip the field with his leg strength while also executing strategic punts to pin opposing teams deep in their territory.
Sanchez punted 44 times for 2,146 yards with a 48.8-yard average during the 2025 season. His performance helped the Colts’ special teams unit maintain its reputation as one of the league’s most reliable groups. His consistency and durability have been key factors in his longevity with the organization.
His continued health and performance have solidified his value to the Colts. As he enters the later stages of his career, Sanchez remains a dependable asset for the franchise. His journey from an undrafted free agent to a franchise legend represents the kind of perseverance that defines successful NFL careers.