Cocaine Quarterback: Signal-Caller for the Cartel (2025)

From the Field to Crime:
Cocaine Quarterback: Signal-Caller for the Cartel opens with Owen Hanson, a promising former USC football player. With natural talent and immense ambition, Hanson seemed destined for sports stardom. Yet his obsession with money and power led him down a dark and unexpected path: the world of international crime.

Stepping into the Underworld:
After leaving USC, Hanson joined a Mexican drug cartel and quickly proved his organizational skills. He didn’t just traffic drugs—he built a sophisticated network and even ran illegal sports betting. Luxurious cars, extravagant parties, and a high-profile lifestyle made him a symbol of power in the criminal world.

The Cocaine Empire:
Hanson didn’t stop at being a middleman. He became a full-fledged drug lord, overseeing cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, and heroin operations, earning up to $1 million a day. His wealth and influence shocked and intimidated many. Every decision he made had ripple effects across the sprawling criminal empire he controlled.

The Inevitable Collapse:
Despite appearing untouchable, Hanson’s empire began to crumble. A failed money-laundering scheme opened the door for the FBI, drawing Hanson into an investigation. From a powerful kingpin, he quickly became a target, and everything he had built seemed to fall apart in a short span of time.

Consequences and Prison Sentence:
In 2017, Hanson was sentenced to 21 years in prison and had $5 million in assets seized. The documentary not only details the case but delves into Hanson’s psyche—a man who once stood at the pinnacle of success now facing the heavy consequences of his choices. His downfall serves as a stark warning about the destructive power of ambition and greed.

Life After Bars:
After about seven years, Hanson was released early in March 2024 and now lives under supervised release in Long Beach, California. The film ends with haunting questions: Can a criminal past ever be left behind, and what lessons about power, temptation, and downfall will audiences carry with them? Cocaine Quarterback is not just a crime story but a gripping real-life journey of choices and consequences.