Ryan Kalil spent 13 seasons as a center for the Carolina Panthers, earning three Pro Bowl selections and serving as team captain before hanging up his cleats in 2019. The following year he teamed with former NBA star Blake Griffin to launch Mortal Media, a production company that would soon pivot toward a surprising venture in Mexican football.
A New Chapter in Mexican Gridiron
The Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional, a seven‑team circuit in Mexico, operates on a schedule that often pushes practices past 9:30 p.m., and many of its players juggle day jobs while chasing a spot on the field. Under Kalil and Griffin’s ownership group, which includes several NFL‑affiliated investors, the league’s average attendance has more than doubled, climbing from roughly 3,000 to 8,500 fans per game.
The docuseries "We Are Osos" debuted on YouTube and follows the Monterrey Osos through the 2025 season, offering an unfiltered look at the team’s on‑field battles, off‑field hurdles, and the aspirations of a roster that blends local talent with imports from the CFL and other minor leagues.
The franchise was rebranded from the Fundidores to the Osos, a nod to Monterrey’s industrial heritage, and the transition initially sparked tension among existing players who felt targeted by rivals. Kalil has since taken an active role in roster decisions, league expansion talks, and government negotiations, often logging late‑night meetings in the city.
Quarterback Shelton Eppler relocated his family to Mexico after four seasons of playing abroad, balancing a full‑time job with weekly training sessions. Meanwhile, 2024 draft pick Axel Montini arrived from Cancun after the club secured him a banking position, practicing alongside NFL veteran Christian McCaffrey and adapting to a new linguistic environment.
Former Panthers stars Greg Olsen, Luke Kuechly and George Kittle have contributed via Zoom sessions, while the series also features appearances by Billy Crudup and Jason Sterman, adding their voices to the documentary’s narrative.
Mexico’s appetite for American football is underscored by a fan base of roughly 40 million and a youth flag‑football program that engages more than 3 million children. Kalil sees the LFA’s current obscurity as a marketing opportunity, noting that the league’s spring schedule and growing visibility could attract sponsors and broadcasters eager to tap into an untapped market.
The second season of "We Are Osos" is already in the can, chronicling the 2026 campaign and highlighting the journeys of players who never imagined they would end up in Mexico. Griffin, who remains a co‑founder of Mortal Media, says the stories of perseverance and community are the driving force behind the series’ continued production.