A gripping new docuseries has arrived, promising an inside look into the extraordinary and often unbelievable life of Owen Hanson, a man whose trajectory took him from college football hopeful to international drug kingpin. Prepare to delve into a world of high stakes, risky alliances, and ultimately, a dramatic fall from grace.

Owen Hanson, now 43, stands as a stark reminder of ambition gone awry. At the height of his illicit career, he commanded an empire that generated a staggering $1 million per day through global drug trafficking, complemented by a lucrative illegal sports betting operation. This seemingly untouchable reign came crashing down when the long arm of the law finally caught up with him.

The new Prime Video series, "Cocaine Quarterback: Signal-Caller for the Cartel," promises to dissect Hanson's story with unprecedented access and detail. The series aims to explore the complex factors that led a young athlete down such a perilous path. Was it greed, a thirst for power, or simply a series of unfortunate choices that sealed his fate?

Before the lavish lifestyle and the dangerous connections, Hanson was a walk-on tight end for the University of Southern California (USC) Trojans. This detail adds a layer of intrigue to his story. He walked the same hallways, shared the same training grounds, and perhaps even harbored the same dreams as future NFL stars.

The docuseries uncovers how Hanson's initial foray into the world of drug dealing began with smuggling steroids to his teammates. This seemingly innocuous act laid the foundation for his future criminal enterprise, showcasing how easily a seemingly small transgression can escalate into something far more significant.

After serving a prison sentence, Hanson was released last year and is now sharing his story in this three-part docuseries. It's a rare opportunity to hear directly from someone who lived life in the fast lane, navigating the treacherous landscape of drug cartels and high-stakes gambling. Will he offer genuine remorse, or simply attempt to rewrite his narrative?

Nicknamed "O-Dog" during his college years, Hanson's journey into the drug trade started with smuggling steroids and cocaine to his teammates at USC. This detail emphasizes the stark contrast between his public image as an athlete and his clandestine activities. It also begs the question: how prevalent was this type of activity within the world of college sports?

He was part of the Trojans team during their consecutive national championship victories in 2004 and 2005, though he never actually played a down. This adds a layer of irony to his story. He was present during moments of great triumph, yet his own contributions were minimal. Perhaps this fueled a desire for recognition and success, albeit through illicit means.

Hanson's initial ventures involved smuggling party drugs from Mexico into the US, driven by a desire to fit in with his fraternity. This reveals a more vulnerable side to his character, suggesting that his early motivations were rooted in social acceptance rather than pure greed.

A pivotal moment in Hanson's life occurred when one of his associates turned out to be a member of a powerful cartel. This chance encounter catapulted him into a world of unimaginable wealth and danger. The cartel connection proved to be both his greatest opportunity and his ultimate downfall.

Hanson recalls the moment he was offered the chance to make "a million dollars a day" by a cartel member. This proposition, delivered via an encrypted phone, marked the turning point in his life. The allure of such immense wealth proved too tempting to resist.

"You got to remember, I’m 25," Hanson says, highlighting the influence of youth and ambition in his decision-making. At that age, the promise of wealth and power can be intoxicating, often blinding individuals to the potential consequences.

This moment, he claims, marked the beginning of his career as a "cocaine quarterback." This moniker suggests that he orchestrated and directed the flow of drugs, much like a quarterback leads his team on the football field.

His smuggling business rapidly evolved into a highly successful empire. Hanson's organizational skills, honed through his experience in sports, likely contributed to his ability to manage and expand his criminal enterprise.

Under the alias "Junior DeLuca," Hanson oversaw an operation that spanned continents, from the US and Central and South America to as far as Australia. This illustrates the global reach and sophistication of his drug trafficking network.

Beyond drug trafficking, Hanson also ran a lucrative sports gambling operation, catering to high-profile clients including Hollywood stars. This reveals the glamorous and seductive nature of his lifestyle, which likely attracted a clientele willing to overlook the illicit nature of his business.

From 2012 to 2015, Hanson indulged in a lavish lifestyle, characterized by extravagant parties, luxury cars, and properties in Mexico and Costa Rica. His wealth became a symbol of his success, further fueling his ambition and driving him deeper into the criminal underworld.

In the gambling world, Hanson was known for his aggressive and even threatening behavior towards customers who owed him money. This ruthlessness underscores the darker aspects of his personality and the lengths he was willing to go to protect his interests.

Hanson incurred a significant debt to the Mexican cartel when his partner absconded with millions of dollars. This betrayal left him in a precarious position, forcing him to find a way to repay the cartel or face dire consequences.

Instead of resorting to violence, the cartel offered Hanson a chance to work off his debt. This unexpected offer transformed him from a debtor into a powerful drug kingpin, solidifying his position within the criminal organization.

However, the beginning of the end came when Hanson began working with a Philadelphia high-stakes gambler, Donny Cipriani, who was secretly an FBI informant. This fateful alliance ultimately led to his downfall, highlighting the risks of trusting those in the criminal underworld.

Hanson gave Cipriani $2.5 million in a money laundering scheme, which the gambler intentionally lost in blackjack. This act of betrayal triggered a series of events that ultimately led to Hanson's arrest. The FBI, armed with Cipriani's information, was able to build a strong case against him.