When Elijah Arroyo thinks back to playing youth football in Cancun, Mexico, he thinks about the times he, his family, and his team would travel from Cancun to Yucatan, Mexico, which is about a three-and-a-half-hour drive. He remembers traveling all that way to face off against a very good football team, the Tigres, or Tigers, in English.
"They became our rival team because they were the best team in the conference other than us. We'd have to travel over the country."
Although it's how good the team was that sticks with him, it's the playing conditions that he remembers more.
"The field was crazy," Arroyo said. "It wasn't even grass. It was just rocks and dirt. There were stray dogs walking through the field. The parents were picking up broken glass, like beer bottles off the field before the game."
Despite the conditions of the field, the teams would face off and it was the draw of two good teams playing each other that eventually led to real change.
"I think by my last year, I played there five years in a row, by my last year, it had gotten better, and they had somewhat fixed it up," he said. "We were the ones who brought the attention to that field for them to be able to fix it up."
Arroyo smiles thinking back on the time he spent with his football teammates turned friends. When he was young, he and his family packed up to move from Miami to Cancun, to be with his father who was there selling timeshares.
"I had just started playing football before I moved down there," Arroyo said following the draft earlier this year. "So that was my biggest concern as a seven-year-old moving to a different country. I asked my mom if they had a football team and they said yes, they found me a football team. So, I was cool with it."
Arroyo would go on to learn to basics of football in Mexico, and as a young, impressionable athlete, his sense of who he is as a football player stems from his time in Cancun.
"I feel like those early years is really what built my confidence up as far as being a football player," he said. "Those are the early years of ball, so that's when you figure out who you are as a player, and your strengths and weaknesses. I feel like that's really just where my confidence comes from, just playing [in Mexico]."
Along with learning plays and aside from being the player who did, "get the rock most of the times," Arroyo realized that playing for his teammates was more rewarding than playing for just himself.
"Being down there really molded me into being a selfless team player," he said. "Just being able to play for my guys, playing for the guys next to me. It just meant so much more rather than just focusing on individual stats."
He added, "That was the first real brotherhood that I was a part of. Just being able to build a relationship with those guys. It's the same thing as being in the locker room now. It's just something that I would never want to be away from."
The time he spent playing in Mexico and Arroyo's Mexican heritage, "Means a lot," he said. "Especially being able to have a Mexican last name, being able to put on for the people of Mexico and just knowing that I represent something bigger than myself. It's something that makes me very, very proud."
Check out photos of the Seahawks 53-man active roster for the 2025 season.


This is a 2025 photo of DeMarcus Lawrence of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0)

Seahawks cornerback Derion Kendrick (1)

Seahawks cornerback Derion Kendrick (1).

This is a 2025 photo of Drew Lock of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2)

This is a 2025 photo of Nick Emmanwori of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3)

This is a 2025 photo of Michael Dickson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4)

Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5).

Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5)

This is a 2025 photo of Jalen Milroe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6)

This is a 2025 photo of Uchenna Nwosu of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7)

This is a 2025 photo of Coby Bryant of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8)

Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9)

Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9)

This is a 2025 photo of Cooper Kupp of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10)

This is a 2025 photo of Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11)

This is a 2025 photo of Ernest Jones IV of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13)

This is a 2025 photo of Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14)

This is a 2025 photo of Tory Horton of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15)

This is a 2025 photo of Elijah Arroyo of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18)

This is a 2025 photo of Jake Bobo of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19)

This is a 2025 photo of Julian Love of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks safety Julian Love (20)

This is a 2025 photo of Devon Witherspoon of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21)

This is a 2025 photo of D'Anthony Bell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks safety D'Anthony Bell (23)

This is a 2025 photo of Zach Charbonnet of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26)

This is a 2025 photo of Riq Woolen of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27)

This is a 2025 photo of Nehemiah Pritchett of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28)

This is a 2025 photo of Josh Jobe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29)

This is a 2025 photo of George Holani of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks running back George Holani (36)

This is a 2025 photo of Brady Russell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38)

This is a 2025 photo of Ty Okada of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39)

This is a 2025 photo of Chris Stoll of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks long snapper Chris Stoll (41)

This is a 2025 photo of Drake Thomas of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42)

Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44)

Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44).

This is a 2025 photo of Tyrice Knight of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48)

This is a 2025 photo of Jared Ivey of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks linebacker Jared Ivey (51)

This is a 2025 photo of Boye Mafe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53)

This is a 2025 photo of Olu Oluwatimi of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55)

This is a 2025 photo of Connor O'Toole of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks linebacker Connor O'Toole (57)

This is a 2025 photo of Derick Hall of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58)

This is a 2025 photo of Jalen Sundell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61)

This is a 2025 photo of Charles Cross of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67)

This is a 2025 photo of Abraham Lucas of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72)

This is a 2025 photo of Josh Jones of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks tackle Josh Jones (74)

This is a 2025 photo of Anthony Bradford of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75)

This is a 2025 photo of Grey Zabel of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76)

This is a 2025 photo of Bryce Cabeldue of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks guard Bryce Cabeldue (77)

This is a 2025 photo of Mason Richman of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks offensive lineman Mason Richman (78)

This is a 2025 photo of Eric Saubert of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81)

This is a 2025 photo of Cody White of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82)

This is a 2025 photo of Dareke Young of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83)

This is a 2025 photo of AJ Barner of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88)

This is a 2025 photo of Nick Kallerup of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Signed tight end Nick Kallerup (89) on May 2, 2025.

This is a 2024 photo of Jarran Reed of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90)

This is a 2025 photo of Byron Murphy II of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91)

This is a 2025 photo of Mike Morris of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94)

This is a 2024 photo of Leonard Williams of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99)