Eduardo Jesús Castañeda Menchaca (born 19 January 1983) is a Mexican former gridiron football linebacker. Castañeda played college football for the Borregos Salvajes Monterrey, leading the team to three consecutive ONEFA national championships from 2004 to 2006. He began his professional career in 2007, playing one season in NFL Europe with the Rhein Fire before spending time on the practice squads of the Houston Texans and the Arizona Cardinals in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Castañeda also played in the Indoor Football League with the Green Bay Blizzard in 2011, as well as subsequent comebacks with the Dinos de Saltillo and the Parrilleros de Monterrey in Mexico. Early life Castañeda was born on 19 January 1983 in the border city of Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico. He began playing American football at the age of 10 with Club Vaqueros de Ciudad Acuña, winning several championships as one of the most competitive teams in . Castañeda later returned to the Vaqueros organization as a coach in 2020. College career Castañeda attended the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM), where he played college football for the Borregos Salvajes Monterrey in ONEFA from 2003 to 2006 under legendary coach Frank González. He began his college career at the safety position but was converted to a linebacker. Castañeda helped lead the team to three consecutive ONEFA national championships from 2004 to 2006. He was also selected to represent Team Mexico in the Aztec Bowl in 2005 and 2006. Castañeda credited the Monterrey coaches with teaching him the English terminology that he would later use during his pro career. He graduated with a Licentiate degree in international trade. Professional career Rhein Fire Castañeda decided to forego his final year of college eligibility, signing with NFL Europe team Rhein Fire in 2007 as an international prospect. In his first game as a pro, he logged three tackles against the Berlin Thunder. He played in 10 games in his lone season with the Fire, recording 10 tackles on defense and five on special teams. Houston Texans In July 2007, Castañeda was assigned to the Houston Texans practice squad as part of the NFL International Development Practice Squad Program. As a participant in the program, his spot was guaranteed throughout the regular season and did not count against the eight-player practice squad limit. In the 2008 offseason, Castañeda focused on improving his speed and his footwork to better adjust