'He did it the right way': René “Galloping Gaucho" Ramirez leaves behind lasting legacy

The life of René Ramirez can't be told without mentioning hard work, struggle, realizing potential and most of all, proving other's wrong.

Ramirez overcame several barriers in his 85 years of life to become one of the most elite halfbacks in Texas football history and a vital piece of Darrell Royal's Longhorn program in the 1950s.

Ramirez, who was nicknamed “The Galloping Gaucho,” passed away from natural causes in June 2023. But his legacy has been engraved in the life of many kids, including young boys in Hebbronville who wanted to play football under the Friday night lights.

"He could outrun the jack rabbits in the woods," said Texas A&M-Kingsville professor Manuel Flores, who grew up in Hebbronville. "Little boys wanted to be like René Ramirez. Father's saw him as a role models for their sons."

Defying the odds

Ramirez did not grow up wealthy, but that never got in the way of his desire to pursue football or make good grades in school.

As much as Ramirez loved playing multiple sports, which included track, baseball and basketball, he always made sure to put his studies first.

Ramirez was a four-year starter for Hebbronville's football team during a successful period, which included four consecutive district titles under former coach Milton Hild.

Not only did he become a standout multi-sport athlete at Hebbronville, Ramirez was a drum major and graduated as valedictorian of his 1956 high school class.

Ramirez garnered several college offers, including one from Gil Steinke and Texas A&I.

The offer was intriguing since the Javelinas were in the midst of seven NAIA National Championships.

Still, his dedication to fulfilling his dream of playing at Texas never faltered.

The Jackie Robinson of Texas

Ramirez defied the odds as a Mexican American by earning a football scholarship to attend the University of Texas at Austin and went on to become one of Royal’s first recruits, and one of the first Mexican-Americans to play football for the Longhorns.

Ramirez could have easily called it quits and pursued baseball, or the countless other sports after a slow start to his college career.

Ramirez only played 20 minutes as a freshman and wasn't considered to be factored into Royal's program.

Still, Ramirez was insistent on helping the team win games and his dedication paid off by being named to the Longhorns' sixth-team at the halfback position.

Ramirez eventually found his way onto the field against Rice his sophomore season.

In fact, his first time touching a football that season resulted in a game-winning, 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Owls.

Ramirez went on to become one of three Mexican Americans to be named first-team all-Southwest Conference in Texas football history and did it all by passing, catching and running.

Ramirez capped off his sophomore season by leading the Longhorns in scoring and all-purpose yards.

"He was like the Jackie Robinson of the Southwest Conference," Flores said. "If you were around him in Hebbronville, you know how important he was for the boys coming up playing football. He was all-state and there had never been an all-state Mexican American in South Texas or Texas. He was a trailblazer and he was a good student."

"He never knew a stranger"

As skillful and busy Ramirez was, he always made time for his family and friends.

Working hard wasn't uncommon in the Ramirez household after years of making ends meet. Education was also important as all nine of Ramirez' children went on to graduate and earn college degrees.

Teresa Castillo, who is the oldest Ramirez' nine children, said her father never knew a stranger. He was humble and welcomed everyone he encountered.

"He was humble, friendly and welcomed everybody," Castillo said. "He didn’t judge people and was big on work ethic. We went to church every Sunday and sat in the front pew. People who helped him, he helped them back. Even though he grew up dirt poor, he believed everybody was their own special person."

Ramirez was known for giving motivational speeches to young athletes and even started a youth development camp for the underprivileged kids in East Austin.

Ramirez was also a member of the Austin Jokers Fast pitch Softball Team, which started in 1962, and also enjoyed playing golf and attending Texas football games with his children.

“There were times when I was hired on the spot because of my dad," Castillo said. "People have looked at me and asked, 'Is your dad René? 'You're hired.' It was his work ethic and the way he dealt with people. Dad was so humble. Dad knew everybody."

The Texas Hall of Honor

Ramirez recently had his No. 31 jersey retired during Hebbronville's district game against Monte Alto on Nov. 3.

The celebration for Ramirez and his family came nearly 10 years after his induction into the Texas Hall of Honor.

Ramirez graduated from Texas in 1961 with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and was later inducted into the Hebbronville Hall of Fame among others.

The NFL didn't pay well, at the time, so Ramirez went on to sell insurance with American Amicable and also worked as an engineer for Mobil Oil. He later retired from the General Land Office of the State of Texas as an appraiser in 2013.

“He was a good dad to all of us," Castillo said. "We didn't realize how popular he was when we were younger and now we've started to realize his impact. He was an all-around student and he was very involved in everything he did. He always told us, 'You are going to college. You will be educated.'"

During his Hall of Honor speech, the legendary Hebbronville star only spoke a few words. But in true Ramirez fashion, he chose to be humble by congratulating the rest of the nominees and thanking the selection committee for his induction.

"Everyone knew he was going to be a star," Flores said. "He was smart, he was an All-American and he was everything you could think of. He didn't come from a rich family, he didn't go to football camps. He just played sports. I've never seen anything like it. He was the best."

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: René “Galloping Gaucho" Ramirez leaves behind lasting legacy