It's been a long and tough journey for Kain Medrano , but on Sunday, he had his "I made it moment."
During the Commanders' 33-31 victory against the Seahawks , Medrano's wife, Layla Riggins, posted a wholesome video of herself reacting to Medrano intercepting the ball and returning it for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Kain Medrano's wife, Layla Riggins, reacts to his first interception for a touchdown on Sunday. TikTok / @Llaylarigginss
After Medrano intercepted the ball, Riggins was seen celebrating in the stands with the caption "My reaction to my hubby getting his pick 6."
Medrano's interception not only helped Washington pull further ahead from a 27-24 lead it earned on the previous possession but it was also the first interception in the second-year linebacker's career.
Former UCLA linebacker Kain Medrano intercepts Sam Darnold and returns it for a touchdown. AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough
After growing up in Pueblo, Colorado, which, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, had a population of 110,404 in July 2025, nothing has come easy for Medrano.
A dual-sport athlete who competed in football and track and field, Medrano was considered an undersized athlete in high school.
In 2018, Medrano announced his commitment to UCLA and later enrolled as a wide receiver when Chip Kelly coached the team.
His time at receiver was short-lived. He switched to linebacker the following season.
The result?
He never looked back.
Former UCLA linebacker Kain Medrano celebrating on the field after the Commanders defeated the Seahawks 33-31 on Sunday. AP Photo/Nick Wass
Medrano improved each year and eventually became a staple in UCLA's defense from 2021-2024.
In his final season at UCLA, he played alongside future NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger in 2024 and tallied 72 tackles, including 50 solo. He had two interceptions — including one that he returned for a touchdown against Nebraska when Dylan Raiola was a freshman.
After his senior year, Medrano received an invite to the NFL scouting combine and had an impressive showcase, where he ran a 4.46 40-yard dash, recorded a 38-inch vertical jump and landed at 10 feet, 5 inches on the broad jump.
Weighing 222 pounds and at 6-3, he was considered a developmental project who would be a hybrid safety and linebacker. Medrano was taken by the Commanders in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Last year, he started the season on Washington's PUP list due to a hamstring injury he suffered in training camp and appeared in only nine games.
This season, he's appeared in all three games for Washington and had five tackles against Seattle .
