William Hernandezoffensive lineman for the Cardinals of the NFL, meets in a Polanco hotel with the media. He greets them with a handshake and has no problem answering their questions in English or Spanish, since he speaks both languages very naturally, because, although he was born in Las Vegas, his parents are Mexican.
After the NFL’s International Home Marketing Area (IHMA) program was launched, the teams that chose to activate the Mexican market (Cardinals, Cowboys, Broncos, Texans, Chiefs, Raiders, Rams, Steelers and 49ers) began to bring their players to autograph signings to build connection with fans, but the Cardinals found in Will, whom they signed in March, an ideal ambassador.
“I think I’m the only player in the league who can speak Spanish or at least speak it well enough to have a conversation. I also have Hispanic parents. I think I represent Mexico very well, I even have it tattooed on my skin. That is one of the things that makes me valuable in the Hispanic market and obviously that is why I am also here to do it,” said the offensive lineman in an interview with El Economista, while showing the feathered serpent tattoo and some frets on his arm. prehispanic.
Will’s parents moved to the United States due to the lack of opportunities in Mexico, and although they had difficult times, Will’s hard work at the University of El Paso (UTEP) led him to be selected in the 2018 Draft by the New York Giants. York.
After four years with the organization, Hernández showed signs of potential and a consistent presence. In both 2018 and 2019 he started all 16 games of the season, he had a pass-blocking efficiency that exceeded 97% and only allowed a total of seven sacks. However, in 2021 he gave up the same number of sacks and finished tied for fourth among all linemen.
Heading into the 2022 season, the Giants and Will terminated their contract and decided to part ways. The offensive lineman signed a one-year contract in March with the Cardinals looking for stability.
“I always had a chance with the Giants, they let me start and I had no problem with how long I played. What there was was a lot of inconsistency, there were new coaches almost every year, I had four line coaches in four years, so I think the difference is that the Cardinals are going to offer me stability to be able to be in a system with a coach and that I know it’s not going to change and I can improve, give everything I can do on the court”.
According to Spotrac, Will’s contract is for one year and $1.1 million; his plan to extend his stay in the NFL is to show his full potential this season.
—According to your position, what statistics would favor you this year to aspire to a renewal or a better contract?
—“Protecting the pass is the most important thing a lineman can do in the NFL, that’s what you’re judged on the most. Second, you have to be able to open up the gaps so the runner can run. Third, be completely disciplined and don’t cost the team fouls, by that I mean don’t jump before the ball goes out, don’t foul during the play or things like that that you can control and that can impact the team in a negative way. . At this position it’s not about how many yards you can grab or touchdowns, it’s more like golf style: the fewer numbers you have the better.
Outside of the statistics, Will mentions that one of the factors for economic growth in the NFL has to do with age and the flexibility of positions that a player can cover.
“We have a lot of players who play two positions, others play three and others up to four on the offensive line, and the more flexible you are and the more you can do, the more valuable you are to the team and your contract may be higher. Even if you’re not the best at that position, if you’re one of the best at three or four positions, that brings value.”
According to Spotrac, with the Giants the player had a rookie contract for 7.5 million dollars and four years. The amount included a signing bonus of about 3.5 million. Hernández mentioned that he is a person who likes to save and make his money grow. For now he has some real estate investments.
“My dad is a contractor and he knows the business very well. We make a very good team when it comes to that market, so most of my money goes there; It is what I know best, what I am most educated in and it is what my family does.”
Technical sheet of William Hernandez
- Team: Arizona Cardinals
- Position: Offensive Lineman
- Age: 26 years old
- Experience: 4 years
- Contract: 1 year for 1,187,500 USD
- NFL Draft: 2018, 34th pick by the New York Giants
- Games played: 62
- Started games: 56
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