Rivera Helps Spark Passion for Panthers Among Charlotte Latinos

*According to the Nielsn Company, Charlotte’s Latino community “is growing faster than any other region in the country.” Thirteen percent of the population is Latino. That’s prime ground for a Latino NFL coach to take his team to the Super Bowl. VL

By Michael Tomisc, WFAE

This Sunday when the Carolina Panthers play the Denver Broncos, Panthers’ coach Ron Rivera will become the second Latino head coach in Super Bowl history. It’s one reason many in Charlotte’s Latino community are all about American football right now.

J.C. Alvarado has a story he loves to tell about Ron Rivera.

Alvarado was born in Ecuador. He still has family there, and when a nephew came to Charlotte to visit in 2014, they went to Panthers practice.

“Ron Rivera came out, and I just shouted, ‘Hey Ron! I have an international visitor here for you!’” Alvarado says. “He actually stopped and came to us. We were shocked. I didn’t know what to say!”

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