News of Washington head coach Ron Rivera’s cancer diagnosis spread quickly across the NFL world, with many players and coaches who know him well sending their well-wishes and love to the beloved head man, many of whom stated something along the lines of “cancer doesn’t stand a chance against Rivera.”
One of the people to mirror that message was Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid, who had Rivera coaching under him for a bit in Philadelphia. Reid was asked about Rivera’s situation after practice recently, and his words were extremely encouraging. Here is the interaction, with the question asked by KC Star reporter Herbie Teope:
Q: You have a tight relationship with your former assistants, and two nights ago, Washington Head Coach Ron Rivera announced that he has cancer. What was your reaction when you heard the news, and have you had an opportunity to offer him words of encouragement?
REID: Well, I did. Ron lost a brother to cancer, so this is something he dealt with. He watched his brother with it, he understands the importance of getting it taken care of and he’ll attack it. He’s a linebacker and once a linebacker, always a linebacker. So, he’s got that grit and toughness and he’ll need that as he goes forward. But he’s in the right frame of mind. He’s a positive guy and he’s staying positive with this. But at the same time, he knows he has to bear down on it, and that’s what he’ll do.”
Watching as Rivera has dealt with the early reactions of a lymph node cancer diagnosis has been encouraging, and he’s continually said that he wants things to remain ‘business as usual’ going forward, with a backup plan that DC Jack Del Rio will step in as HC should Rivera need to miss some time for treatment. The form of cancer is reportedly very treatable and curable, and Rivera will do everything needed in order to take care of it. Judging by the comments from coaches around the league, he will be able to use it as motivation for not only him, but the rest of his team to get better as well.
