We are eight days away from the kick-off of the 2015 IFAF World Championship in Canton, Ohio. Brazil will be participating for the first time in history and has put together a team of players from a variety of different backgrounds.
Brazil will open the tournament against France at 3:30pm on July 8th. The game will be streamed live on ESPN3 and ESPN Brasil.
Rhudson Fonseca, 6’2″ 225 lbs., was the first native-born Brazilian to play quarterback at the NCAA level and is a player to watch in Canton next week. AFI had a chance to ask Fonseca a few questions before he heads out to Ohio.
1. What is your background? Where did you play American football before the the Onças?
I played high school football at East Side High School in Newark, New Jersey. I then went to ASA Junior College before moving on to Lincoln University in Missouri. I’ve played with the New Jersey Savage and Harlem Gators, both semi-pro teams here in the United States.
I am 100% Brazilian and was born in Recife before I came to the U.S. At the age of 9. I am a quarterback but will play any position the team asks me to help with. If that is LB, holder, TE or whatever is need it as long as I am contributing.
2. How long have you been a member of the Onças national team? How did you come to play for them?
I learned of the Onças through social media and I reached out to a few of the players and that’s how I heard of them and how they heard of me.
3. What are you most looking forward to at the IFAF World Championship?
What I’m looking forward to the most at the World Championships is the chance to represent Brazil on a main stage and to play along side my 44 teammates and coaches. Also, the pleasure of playing at the main stage and getting to see the NFL Hall of Fame and play against other great players from around the world.
4. What have you been doing to prepare for the IFAF World Championship?
I finished my season for the New Jersey Savage a few weeks ago and I’m also playing for a semi-pro team called the Harlem Gators. So I am still in playing shape, stay active, and play the sport I love. I’m also very active in the gym.
5. Brazil plays France in the first game of the WCs. What do you think the team can do to beat the French?
Yes, I am very aware that we will play France in the first game of the WC. I know France has a great team with experience and they will not be an easy opponent but. I am very confident in our team and I know if we play hard nose, mistake-free football and play at a high-level and make less mistakes I know we can win that game. That goes for any of the game. “Any given Sunday”
6. What is the goal for the Oncas at the WCs?
Our goal is to compete against the best the world has to offer and to come out of there with a medal. I also would like the rest of the world to see that Brazil can play American football and has great potential.
7. What Brazilian teammates of yours should we keep an eye on?
Keep an eye on all of us because any one of us can step up when our number is called.
8. And finally, what can the World expect to see when they watch team Brazil in the IFAF WCs?
The world can expect to see 45 guys playing for one another and for their country. Playing as a family and as a unit. Like I said before if we play mistake free football and give it our all every down, we can compete with anyone. “Any give sunday” #weareallwegot