Mexican Alfredo Gutierrez, a former Borregos Monterrey football player and current offensive lineman for the San Francisco 49ers NFL team, received the game ball at his debut in a pre-season game.
The game ball was awarded to him at the end of his debut match as a field player, earning him congratulations from his teammates.
“I have no words to describe today: simply unforgettable, thanks @49ers,” the left tackle shared on his social media.
Alfredo formed part of the offensive line on the Monterrey campus football team.
He played a key role in winning the CONADEIP Premier Conference championship in 2019.
Alfredo, who hails from Tijuana, Baja California, stepped on to the pitch for the first time as an outfield player in a pre-season game against the Minnesota Vikings on August 20, which the 49ers won with a final score of 17-7.
Gutiérrez, wearing number 77 and guided by head coach Kyle Shanahan, made several offensive plays during the last two minutes of the game.
“We were able to run a couple of plays and Alfredo went in there, we ran power to him.
“We gave him the game ball; guys were pumped up” said the coach in the post-match press conference.
Emilio Álvarez, national director of Borregos Athletics, said that there is Mexican talent which can reach the ranks of the NFL.
“In Mexico, there is talent which could make it to the NFL.
“It’s the responsibility of sports organizations, as well as educational institutions, to provide a platform to promote this development,” he explained.
Alfredo Gutiérrez, who is 2.08 meters tall and weighs in at 155 kilograms, was part of the International Player Pathway Program 2021.
This program began in 2017 with the aim of giving international athletes the opportunity to compete in the NFL.
Another former Borrego who is currently playing for an NFL team is Isaac Alarcón, who became the first Mexican participant in the International League Players Program to get a place within the NFL, at the Dallas Cowboys.
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