Puerto Rico Roots Coach Leads Carolina Panthers To Super Bowl

Head coach Ron Rivera of the Carolina Panthers celebrates with Cam Newton #1 after defeating the Arizona Cardinals with a score of 49 to 15 to win the NFC Championship Game at Bank of America Stadium on January 24, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

By NAN Sports Writer

News Americas, CHARLOTTE, NC, Mon. Jan. 25, 2016: The fourth Latino head coach in the National Football League, (NFL), Ron Rivera , who was born to a Puerto Rican-father and a Mexican roots mother in Fort Ord, California, has led the Carolina Panthers to only its second Super Bowl championship.

Rivera and the Panthers, doubted by some and questioned by many this season, managed to keep a record 17-1 season  to win the first NFC Championship held at Bank of America Stadium – 49-15 – over the Arizona Cardinals Sunday afternoon before throngs of screaming fans.

The Panthers all but pummeled the hapless Cardinals. They did so through tremendous play from their quarterback and MVP favorite Cam Newton who accounted for four touchdowns and played one of his best games ever on the brightest stage of his pro career.

Is that the Lightening Bolt Cam Newton and the Panthers were doing on the sideline in the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFC Championship Game at Bank of America Stadium on January 24, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina?. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Carolina and Rivera will next face the Denver Broncos on Feb. 7th at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., home of the San Francisco 49ers. The Broncos advanced with a 20-18 victory over the highly favored New England Patriots earlier Sunday.

Rivera has credited his Hispanic roots and military upbringing as vital to his success.

He recently credited his Puerto Rican dad in an interview with Fox News Latino stating: “”The biggest thing, and I get this from my father, is to stick to your core values. Don’t ever forget where you came from,” he says. “Something that I’ve also learned and believe is that if you want something in life, go get it – because they are not going to send a limo. And finally, I know this much: you truly don’t have all the answers. You have to communicate, collaborate, listen and discuss.”

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