Anyone who watched Jose Maltos drill five field goals including the game-winning 58-yarder in Calgary last Thursday may have noticed that the Alouettes kicker added the name “Diaz” to his nameplate.
The Global kicker from Mexico added a second family name to the back of his journey as a tribute to his mother, who is back home in his native country.
“It was a surprise for her,” Maltos said after Tuesday’s practice. “She’s been in surgery, so I wanted to surprise her. It’s a good surprise for her. She was so happy and crying at home watching the game.”
Maltos didn’t want to get into the specifics of his mother’s surgery, but he added that she’s doing better now.
The 33-year-old’s final field goal against the Stampeders was a franchise record. Maltos became the first kicker in team history to hit a field goal longer than 54 yards.
“Before the game, we had talked about what the distance would be but that we could push it (further) if we needed to,” head coach Jason Maas said of the decision to attempt a 58-yard field goal in the dying moments of the game. “I know he was kicking the 60 yards before the game and doing quite well with it. Even when we watch him in practice, he kicks up to 60 yards. At the end, with the distance it was, (coach Byron Archambault) said he could make it, that’s all I needed to here. You have to faith in your execution and that unit.”
Maltos is off to a terrific start this season, as he’s made 23-of-25 field goals in 2025.
Austin Mack OUT on Saturday
Wide receiver Austin Mack suffered an injury during the game in Calgary. According to Maas, he won’t be available to play in this weekend’s game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He’s considered day-to-day at this point.
The 27-year-old has 296 yards receiving in five games this season.