Metamora Redbirds football’s international connection to the country of Brazil has added a new chapter to a decades

METAMORA( 25News Now ) - As Metamora football gets prepared for its second-round playoff matchup with Morris, their senior kicker is just the latest chapter in a decades-long relationship spanning the Americas.

Foreign exchange student Thiago Gracia, originally from Brazil, is the third member of his family to play for Redbirds Football. His father, Ricardo, was also the kicker for the Redbirds way back in 1989, and his uncle, Eduardo, was a running back on the Redbirds team in 1995.

Sherry and Gary Garber were Ricardo’s host parents when he played for the Redbirds. Fast forward 35 years, and now their son Doug, who played with Ricardo, and his wife Nicole are the host parents for Thiago.

Although Gracia may be a twelve-hour flight from Brazil, he’s now got a second family right here