Ron Rivera, a prominent figure in American football as a former player, coach, and current general manager for the California Golden Bears, has faced numerous challenges throughout his career. From his early days as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears to his head coaching roles with the Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders, Rivera has demonstrated remarkable resilience and leadership. This article delves into Rivera's weight loss journey, particularly during his battle with cancer, and highlights his unwavering spirit in the face of adversity.
Early Life and Career
Ronald Eugene Rivera was born on January 7, 1962, in Fort Ord, California. His father, Eugenio Rivera, a US Army officer from Puerto Rico, and his mother, Dolores, who had Mexican and Filipino roots, instilled in him a strong work ethic and a commitment to education. Rivera's family moved frequently due to his father's military service, living in various locations, including Germany, Panama, and Washington, D.C., before settling in Marina, California.
Rivera's football career began at the University of California, Berkeley, where he played as a linebacker for the Golden Bears. He led the team in tackles for three years and earned All-American honors in 1983. In 1984, he was drafted by the Chicago Bears, where he played for nine seasons and won Super Bowl XX in 1985, becoming the first American of Puerto Rican descent to achieve this milestone.
Transition to Coaching
After retiring as a player, Rivera transitioned to coaching, starting as a television analyst before becoming the linebackers coach for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999. He later served as the defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears and the San Diego Chargers before becoming the head coach of the Carolina Panthers in 2011.
During his tenure with the Panthers, Rivera led the team to Super Bowl 50 and earned two NFL Coach of the Year awards. He was fired in 2019 and subsequently hired as the head coach of the Washington Commanders in 2020.
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Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
In 2020, Rivera faced a personal battle when he was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. Despite undergoing rigorous treatment, including chemotherapy and proton therapy, he continued to lead the Washington Commanders. Rivera's resilience during this challenging time inspired many.
Rivera recently spoke with ESPN about the struggles he faced during the three rounds of chemo he underwent, revealing he lost 36 pounds due to how difficult it was for him to swallow in addition to the toll it took on his taste buds. The only things I could truly drink were root beer and Mountain Dew. Those tasted normal and helped me eat from that point on.
Weight Loss During Cancer Treatment
Rivera's weight loss journey was closely linked to his cancer treatment. The chemotherapy sessions significantly affected his ability to eat and swallow, leading to a substantial loss of 36 pounds. He revealed that the only beverages he could tolerate were root beer and Mountain Dew, as they tasted normal and helped him maintain some level of nutrition.
Maintaining Leadership Through Adversity
Despite his health challenges, Rivera remained committed to his team and his leadership role. He even had a halftime routine worked out pregame. Regardless of how the first half went, he, the team doctors and head athletic trainer Ryan Vermillion would get the team’s first-year coach an IV once everyone got settled in the locker room, a measure he’d take to deal with the effects of his ongoing battle with squamous cell cancer.
Rivera's ability to compartmentalize his personal struggles and focus on his team's needs was a testament to his character. He understood why everyone’s talking about all of that, and will continue to. As he sees it, it’s why he was hired-he’s a coach with a reputation for leadership and an ability to set a culture, which is exactly what Washington needed.
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Impact on the Washington Football Team
Rivera's leadership had a profound impact on the Washington Football Team. He fostered a culture of resilience and determination, guiding the team through numerous challenges, including a complete overhaul of football operations and a series of off-field controversies.
Rivera challenged him to lead, and mostly Rivera wanted that to happen by example. He’s since seen it from his 22-year-old quarterback, who’s done it by losing weight, getting in his playbook and organizing workouts with young receivers locally when COVID-19 claimed all the spring field work he’d have gotten in a normal year.
Overcoming Challenges and Moving Forward
Rivera's journey has been marked by numerous obstacles, but he has consistently demonstrated the ability to overcome adversity. He started chemo last year, and has treatments scheduled again this week. The halftime IV will be a regular thing for him, as will the fatigue he knows he’ll have to fight through.
Rivera’s crew was thoroughly outclassed through 22 minutes. Washington had one first down and just three positive gains on offense in the first quarter, and the defense might’ve been worse. Carson Wentz’s over-the-shoulder 34-yard touchdown pass to Dallas Goedert put his stat line at 12-of-16 for 174 yards and two touchdowns, and the score at 17-0. That’s just when Washington’s resilience showed up.
Rivera's Future in Football
After being let go by the Commanders, Rivera expressed his desire to continue coaching in the NFL. Rivera told ESPN he's had "conversations with some people and some teams," and will see what comes as multiple teams are searching for their next head coach.
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Rivera, who has been a head coach for the past 13 years, told ESPN it would not be difficult to assume a role as a team’s defensive coordinator. He last did so from 2008-10 with the Los Angeles Chargers before the Carolina Panthers brought him in as their head coach.
Lessons Learned
Rivera's experiences have taught him valuable lessons about leadership, resilience, and the importance of personal growth. Rivera explained. "Sometimes you do have to take a step back. You take a step back, you learn and grow from it. It's like I told other players, if you look at this year as a lost year, you're [hurting] yourself. You should look at it as a year to learn and understand why things happen. This was probably the greatest learning experience I've had in a while this year. I mean, a lot of things came to light at certain times this past season that I think going forward will really help me."