Denver Broncos' Louis Vasquez, Manny Ramirez & Knowshon Moreno Elevate Their Game for Super Bowl 2014
Super Bowl XLVIII will be especially memorable for three tough and inspiring Latinos who are making NFL history, and in essence paving the way for other Latinos who also share the same kind of passion for American football.
Among them is Denver Broncos guard Louis Vasquez, "the 6-foot, 5-inch, 325-pound Mexican-American from Corsicana, Tex., who was also the only Bronco besides quarterback Peyton Manning named an All-Pro this season," according to Voxxi.
In addition to Vasquez, two other Latino teammates -- running back Knowshon Moreno, whose father is from Puerto Rico, and center Manny Ramirez, who is also Mexican-American, will take on the Seattle Seahawks on Super Bowl Sunday.
Vasquez, "the massive right guard" who "gave Manning ample space to step into all those throws to set NFL records with 55 TDs and 5,447 yards through the air," is valued by many, according to The Town Talk.
"Vasquez was just the rock John Elway (executive vice president of football operations for the Denver Broncos of the NFL) envisioned when he snatched him away from San Diego, and he's the only 2012 free agent in all of football to earn All-Pro honors this season."
"I thank God every day that we have him," offensive line coach Dave Magazu said.
"So does Manning, whose 20 sacks were the fewest of any quarterback who started all of his team's games," The Town Talk adds.
The Broncos will also be "counting heavily on" center Ramirez, who played with Vasquez for two seasons at Texas Tech and who call each other "my brother," Voxxi reports.
Moreno, who is known to wear his heart on his sleeve, has had teary moments on the sidelines, which have been captured in photos that went viral online, thus landing him on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Having three Latino starters on a Super Bowl team is not only a stellar accomplishment; it may even be history in the making. "The National Football League says it does not keep those kinds of statistics," Voxxi points out, "but an unofficial check of former Super Bowl teams suggests this is unprecedented."
Vasquez, "who is only of two linemen among the 38 guards who played at least 900 snaps in 2013 to not permit a sack," (notes ProFootballFocus.com), he has a very important job to do of protecting Peyton Manning. Manning, who underwent fusion neck surgery in 2011 at the age of 35, returned stronger than ever and gave a new name to the comeback kid by pulling off "the greatest season of any quarterback in NFL history."
Besides having Latino teammates who have your back and share the love of their Latin roots as well as their enthusiasm for the game, Manning is another great source of inspiration for this "Latino trio."
"'Just having great players around me helps,' says Vasquez, crediting his teammates for making his All-Pro recognition possible. 'Everybody else looks that good, guys like Peyton just make you want to elevate your game. Again, it's humbling, and I can't thank my teammates enough.'"