As a Cuban immigrant, 10-year-old Carlos Alvarez felt the sting of discrimination, but soon found a way to combat it: football. Excelling at a sport few Latinos played, “the Cuban Comet” became a record-smashing receiver at the University of Florida and an inspiration to others struggling to adapt to life in a new country, all while speaking out for athletes’ rights, civil rights, and against the war in Vietnam — no matter the cost. One of only three Latin-born players in the College Football Hall of Fame, Carlos Alvarez proved All-American isn’t a title you earn just on the playing field.
Broadcast nationally in 2020 as part of ESPN’s SEC Storied doc series
Recipient of a 2021 Silver Telly Award for General Documentary
Recipient of a 2021 Silver Telly Award for General Sports
Recipient of a 2021 NY Festivals TV & Film Awards Gold Medal for Sports Doc
Recipient of a 2021 NY Festivals TV & Film Awards Silver Medal for Biography
Network ESPN / SEC Network
Air Date October 27, 2020
Producers Castor Fernandez | Gaspar González
Director Gaspar González
Executive Producers Castor Fernandez | Gaspar González
ESPN Executive Producer John Dahl
ESPN Series Producers Spencer Barry | Scott Siebers
Cinematographers Richard Patterson | Ed Talavera
Additional Photography Jorge González Graupera | Sunny Lee | Josiah Morgan
Location Sound Thomas J. Doolittle | Joel C. Hernandez
Supervising Editor Jorge Rubiera
Editor Adrian Orozco
Additional Editing Curtis McConnell
Post Sound Kevin Sems
Colorist Josh Kanuck
Running Time 52:00