“They saw me kicking a football pretty good, so they invited me to play for the American football team in my high school,” said Maltos. “After that, I had a great season, so I got an offer from my college where I used to play.”

The 26-year-old was the kicker for Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon near his hometown. He was offered a scholarship to play at Southern Methodist University, but paperwork prevented that. However, it started a relationship with the Lions’ new special teams coordinator Jeff Reinebold.

One of Maltos’ biggest accomplishment is breaking a field goal record at the 2011 football world championships when he represented mexico.

“It was my first time kicking off the ground and against Australia I attempted a 56-yarder. I did. I made it,” he said. “After the game, they told me I broke the record for the [World Championship].”

While many people think American football isn’t popular in Mexico, it is.

“There are over 100 schools playing football in Mexico,” said Reinebold, who visited with Maltos last year in Mexico City and recommend him to Wally Buono. “Mexico has had high-level college football since after World War II, and if you go to the Mexican national championship game you’ll see 45,000, 50,000 people Mexico City.”

At Lions camp, Maltos is learning from Ty Long, B.C.’s incumbent kicker and punter. But Reinebold says it’s been a friendly competition.

“Kickers have kind of a comradery,” he said. “It’s a little different than if you’re playing offensive tackle and you’re competing for one job in the offensive line. They understand it’s a unique fraternity they’re in, so they’ve been real positive with each other.”

While Maltos is here to improve as a kicker and land a job, he’s doing this for his family back home in Monterrey.

“They’re happy for me. They help me a lot. They support me a lot. I always call my mom and dad. That’s why I am here. I’m doing this for them. It’s a motivation for me thinking about them.”