The last time the Dolphins hosted the Jets, Alberto Riveron made his mother proud.
The Cuban-American, who came to Miami with his mom at age 5, stood there on the field of his hometown team, wearing his referee uniform, and called a penalty in Spanish.
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the NFL asked Riveron, the league's first Hispanic referee, to make the call in his native language.
"I'm not gonna lie to you," Riveron recalled. "I got a little caught up in the pre-game hoopla."
It's hard to blame him. Normally unflappable, Riveron realized the significance of this game. Although he still doesn't consider himself a trailblazer.
But he most certainly is. Because unlike most NFL officials, Riveron didn't grow up watching football with his dad. And his mom didn't even understand this game he played in the streets of his neighborhood near the Orange Bowl.
"El juego de los empujones." That's what she called it. The game of pushing -- never imagining that her son would one day become one of 120 people in the world who officiate NFL football.
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"When you say football in the Latin community," said Riveron, "you have to be careful not to say 'futbol' because they immediately think of soccer."
So how did a Cuban-American from Miami become an NFL officiating pioneer? For Riveron, it all started reffing youth games in Miami. Then, he worked his way up. 15 seasons in college football, a stint in NFL Europe and finally, the call he never dreamed of.
"I never thought I was good enough," he said.
The NFL hired Riveron as a side judge in 2004. Then, three years ago, he got promoted to one of 17 head referees.
When he's not on the field on Sundays, or at his other job, manufacturing hurricane panels, Riveron spends most of his time in his home office, which displays memorabilia and many of the footballs used during his milestone games..
"Some people refer to it as a shrine," Riveron said.
You wouldn't believe the amount of time Riveron puts in behind the scenes. During the season, he spends 35-40 hours a week -- not including the games -- dedicated to research and self-assessments. The NFL gives Riveron a special computer with what looks like a video game joystick, that allows him to scan every call of every game from every angle.
"We get graded on every play of every game," he said.
NFL refs also have to pass strict physical tests. But it's a small price to pay for Riveron. He realizes how lucky he is and appreciates how far he's come. And he understands the responsibility he carries as the NFL's first Hispanic referee.
"The inspiration I think I want people to see is if you want it, it's there for the taking," he said. "If I did it, anybody can do it. It's just a matter of how bad you want it."
