Editor’s note: Gilbert Manzano, SCNG’s NFL reporter, finally found the coffee station at Super Bowl radio row and he spotted several Hall of Famers and current NFL stars inside the Los Angeles Convention Center. Here’s what Manzano saw and heard from Day 5 of Super Bowl LVI week:
LOS ANGELES — Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera wasn’t avoiding the most controversial NFL topic during Super Bowl LVI week. He was looking over his shoulder because he wanted to provide living proof of what opportunities for minorities can create.
“It’s giving them opportunities,” Rivera said when asked how the NFL can improve its lack of diversity problem. “This is Natalia Dorantes. She’s my chief of staff.”
Dorantes is the first Latina to work directly with an NFL team’s football operations department.
A year before Dorantes was on Super Bowl LVI’s radio row, she was preparing for a job interview that has been tough to attain for most minorities looking to break into the NFL. Dorantes made the most of her opportunity and impressed Rivera during a virtual interview.
“All a person needs is a chance,” Rivera said. “She was so impressive in her interview through Zoom and I’m not a big fan of Zoom. We had her come out and meet and then she had to meet my wife. And that to me was surreal. My wife told me, ‘Gosh, she’s impressive.’ People just need a chance.
“If you open up the pool of candidates for jobs, you’re going to find somebody that is a star and if you do that and hire the person, you got a chance to win and be successful.”
Dorantes, a Mexican-American who was born in Los Angeles and raised in Phoenix, quickly rose through the ranks as a creative recruiting coordinator for Texas A&M’s football program.
Rivera has only worked with Dorantes for a year, but he already expects her to have a major role in the NFL in the near future.
“That’s what I really feel happened with Natalia and all she needed was opportunity,” Rivera said. “I’m not kidding when I say she’s going to run the league. She’s got a chance. She’s that type of person.”
Dorantes on working with Rivera: “He’s great. I’m going to hype him up. He’s a great person, and, obviously, an even better coach. It’s truly a blessing to be on his staff.”
Washington Commanders HC Ron Rivera and chief of staff Natalia Dorantes, the first Latina to work directly with an NFL team’s football operations #superbowl @naatalia_d @RiverboatRonHC pic.twitter.com/Td7wR2dlu8
— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) February 11, 2022
Rivera is one of five minority head coaches in the NFL and he’s been pushing for change before the lawsuit filed by former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores finally got the NFL’s attention on the lack of diversity. Perhaps Dorantes’ success story will create more job opportunities for minorities in the NFL.
“Just be yourself and go for it,” Dorantes said when asked to share advice for others who might soon be in her position when it comes to prominent job interviews.
To learn more about Dorantes’ rise to the NFL, check out Jose de Jesus Ortiz’s feature on her in Our Esquina.
Rivera and Dorantes weren’t the only ones who jumped on this reporter’s podcast, Compas on the Beat:
PRO WRESTLING TALK WITH KHAN
Tony Khan had plenty to talk about as the president of All Elite Wrestling and co-owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Khan shared the success of AEW, which features CM Punk, Jon Moxley and Bryan Danielson, and teased upcoming shows on the West Coast.
“I love Doug Pederson,” Khan said about the Jaguars’ new head coach. “We interviewed so many people and Doug Pederson had the most experience. … I think his experience and what he brings to the team is great.”
BOXING TALK WITH SHOWTIME PRESIDENT
Stephen Espinoza, the president of Showtime Sports, also stopped by to share what’s in store for the premium cable network in 2022.
“I think 2021 was one of the most successful years for us,” Espinoza said. “And one of the busiest years in his history because we did over 40 live fight nights and that’s between Bellator MMA and all the boxing we do.”
Espinoza said he’s still pushing to land Canelo Alvarez’s next fight, despite reports that Alvarez is leaning toward a two-fight deal with DAZN. Alvarez’s win against Caleb Plant was aired on Showtime pay per view.
ALSO ON RADIO ROW: Former New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, former LSU coach Ed Orgeron, Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke, New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.