Ron Rivera Cancer Illness – Ron Rivera had a form of Cancer that took a physical and mental toll on him. Learn his latest illness and health update.
Ronald Eugene Rivera, or Ron Rivera, is the head coach for the Washington Commanders of the NFL (National Football League).
Nicknamed “Riverboat Ron,” he has coached teams like Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers, and Carolina Panthers.
Ron is also a former player who spent eight years at the Bears (1984–1992).
Ron Rivera Cancer Illness: Is He Well Now?
Ron Rivera had Cancer. However, he is now believed to be free of the illness.
The former footballer still goes for biannual checkups to ensure good health; they continue providing positive results.
However, he still feels anxious every time he goes for the examination. “I always hold my breath,” Ron said.
He once asked Dr. John Marshall of Georgetown University Hospital, “When do you stop feeling this way, this fear that it’s going to come back?”
Ron was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in August 2020, located in a lymph node of his neck.
The football coach has a family history of Cancer. His brother Michael “Micky,” died from Pancreatic Cancer in 2015, and his mother, Dolores, from Lung Cancer in 2022.
His Father, Eugenio, was also diagnosed with the condition.
Fortunately, Ron’s diagnosis was made in the early stages. The news came during his first training camp with Washington.
He took a seven-week treatment regimen, including three cycles of chemotherapy and 35 proton therapy appointments.
Ron missed only three practices and lost over 30 pounds. He had to undergo intravenous therapy during halftime of some games to get rid of fatigue.
Ron’s experience with Cancer has changed him. It has made him appreciate the details of life and adjust his schedule to do things he would not have done.
His team organized a Campaign called “Rivera Strong” to support him. Fortunately, Ron was deemed Cancer-free by late January 2021.
In April 2021, Rivera donated $100,000 to Rich Eisen’s Run Rich Run charity event for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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He later received the 2022 George Halas Award from the Pro Football Writers of America for the adversity he dealt with.
Born on January 7, 1962, Ron Rivera is currently 60.
Learn About Ron Rivera Family Ethnicity And Religion
Ronald Eugene Rivera was born in Fort Ord, California, United States, to his parents Eugenio and Dolores Rivera.
His Father, Eugenio Rivera, was a Puerto Rican commissioned officer serving in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in California, where he met Dolores.
Dolores was of Mexican descent. Hence, Ron comes from a mixed ethnic background. Regarding religion, he is Catholic.
Ron has three siblings, brothers: Steven, Michael (late), and John Rivera.
The Rivera family moved often owing to Eugenio’s military duties. Ron attained education in bases in Washington, DC, Germany, and Panama.
They eventually settled in Marina, California, where Ron attended Seaside High School before graduating in 1980. He also played football at that school.
Afterward, Ron went to the University of California, Berkeley, where he was recognized as an All-American linebacker for the Golden Bears.
He is the uncle of Vincent, who was employed as a defensive quality control coach under him at the Commanders in 2020.
Ron Rivera Is Married And Has Two Kids
Ron Rivera is married to Stephanie (née Tamayo). The two met at UC in August 1983 and tied the knot in 1984.
Stephanie, a Filipino American, was also into sports. She played point guard for the Golden Bears women’s basketball team.
She later served as a coach, most notably as an assistant coach for the Washington Mystics of the WNBA in 2000.
The pair has two children together, a son Christopher and a daughter Courtney.
Sports run in the family, as Courtney played for the UCLA Bruins softball team in the early 2010s.
She has also worked as a social media producer under her Father in Carolina and Washington. Home
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