 In 1970, he was inducted into the New Mexico State University Athletics Hall of Fame.Villanueva was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Rams after the 1960 NFL Draft, becoming one of the earliest players of Mexican descent in the NFL, and one of the last straight-away style placekickers.Villanueva was both a placekicker and a punter, so he kept two different pairs of shoes on game day.