The NFL was shaken late Thursday evening when Washington Football Team coach Ron Rivera announced that he was diagnosed with lymph node cancer, which he described to ESPN’s Adam Schefter as “very treatable and curable.” Rivera, 58, is optimistic that treatment won’t keep him away from football for very long.
Nevertheless, it’s a very serious situation for Rivera’s personal health. And several team leaders of the New Orleans Saints, defensive end Cameron Jordan and linebacker Demario Davis, are sending their best wishes to their longtime rival in the NFC South:
Not coach Rivera!!! Bigggg Prayers your way @RiverboatRonHC https://t.co/7NExp2ZnWl
— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) August 21, 2020
Prayers up for Coach Rivera. https://t.co/7X3tBswWSf
— Demario Davis #56 (@demario__davis) August 21, 2020
While Rivera is busy building the Washington Football Team from the ground up, his impact on the NFC South can’t be forgotten. The Saints clearly have a healthy respect for what he accomplished.
Rivera’s Carolina Panthers gave the Saints more trouble than any other regime since Sean Payton was hired to run the show in New Orleans. His Panthers teams won the division title three years in a row from 2013 to 2015, and his winning percentage is one of the best among coaches to lead multiple seasons in the NFC South since 2006:
- Sean Payton (Saints, 2006-2019): 131-77-0, .630
- Mike Smith (Falcons, 2008-2014): 66-46-0, .589
- Ron Rivera (Panthers, 2011-2019): 76-63-1, .546
- Dan Quinn (Falcons, 2015-2019): 43-37-0, .538
- John Fox (Panthers, 2006-2010): 37-43-0, .463
- Jon Gruden (Buccaneers, 2006-2008): 22-26-0, .458
- Dirk Koetter (Buccaneers, 2016-2018): 19-29-0, .396
- Raheem Morris (Buccaneers, 2009-2011): 17-31-0, .354
- Greg Schiano (Buccaneers, 2012-2013): 11-21-0, .344
- Lovie Smith (Buccaneers, 2014-2015): 8-24-0, .250
