JOURNAL ARTICLE

The True Story Behind Cocaine Quarterback.

  • Published In: Time.com, 2025. P. N.PAG 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Levitt, Barry 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on the true story of Owen Hanson, a former University of Southern California (USC) backup quarterback who became a major drug smuggler for the Mexican Sinaloa cartel, as detailed in the Prime Video docuseries *Cocaine Quarterback: Signal-Caller for the Cartel*. After failing to secure a starting position in college football, Hanson leveraged his sports connections and hustler mentality to smuggle steroids and later large quantities of cocaine, operating internationally, including in Australia where he laundered millions of dollars. His criminal activities involved complex money laundering schemes and violent intimidation tactics, culminating in his 2015 arrest by the FBI and other agencies. Hanson was sentenced to 21 years but received a reduced term after cooperating with authorities, and as of 2024, he is in a halfway house under supervised parole.

Additional Information

  • Source:Time.com. 2025/09, pN.PAG
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Biography
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:2476-2679
  • Accession Number:188357677
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