Washington Football Team’s head coach, Ron Rivera, has a looming physical presence coupled with a quiet demeanor. Those are a few of the qualities which make him stand out.
But lately, Rivera is emphasizing a new part of his character.
His voice.
Football fans know that coach Rivera is a cancer survivor. Almost a year ago to the day, Washington’s coach was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, a form of cancer residing in a lymph node.
“I was stunned,” said Rivera, 58, at the time in an interview with ESPN. “But I was angry because I feel like I’m in best health I’ve been in.”
But instead of dwelling on the diagnosis or feeling sorry for himself, Rivera took action. He went in for treatment, never missed a game and led the team to a division title.
When he finally rang the bell, it was like he was signaling to the world that he was both cancer-free and a new man.
And that’s what he became.
Ron Rivera is now, contrary to his former quiet demeanor, opening his mouth on issues of great importance. This includes the current debate around, and foolish politicization by some of, Covid vaccinations.
As a cancer survivor, it’s a situation that affects him personally.
“As a person, I’ve become a little more of an advocate on things,” said Rivera in an interview with Sports Illustrated. “I’ve sensed and feel like I speak up a little bit more on some things. Like the medical issue—to me, it’s the craziest thing that we’re the richest country in the world and we don’t have affordable health care for everybody, that we have a health-care system that’s broken.”
As the preseason started, Rivera’s focus on vaccinations increased, as did his frustration with the entire situation. He even brought in a vaccine expert to speak with the team, which apparently only had minimal impact.
“I think it’s frustrating. Especially in the fact that last year we were the No. 1 team against COVID,” said Rivera. “Our players took the challenge of staying inside the bubble, doing the things the right way and for the most part, you know we only had two situations. Both of them were guys who weren’t on the active 53, so it turned out to be a positive for us, as far as being COVID free. And now for whatever reason we have some reluctance to do that, to get the vaccine.”
According to the NFL Network, Washington’s entire coaching staff is vaccinated. But unlike the Atlanta Falcons, who announced on Monday that the entire team was vaccinated, Rivera’s team is not. At the start of the month, Washington’s vaccination rate was 84%, of which 50.5% were fully vaccinated.
And despite ringing the bell on January 28th of this year, Ron Rivera is still immune deficient. That means that he has to take extra precautions both on and off the field.
So now he advocates for vaccinations and wants everyone to understand that it’s not just about them.
“I hope we can get to these guys, get them to understand really it’s not just for them, but it’s for the people around them,” said Rivera.
His biggest challenge is the same one that’s currently plaguing the country- misinformation.
“Gen Z is relying on this,” said Rivera, referring to smartphones. “And you got some, quite frankly, f*ing a**holes, that are putting a bunch of misinformation out there, leading people to die. That’s frustrating to me, that these people are allowed to have a platform. And then, one specific news agency, every time they have someone on, ‘I’m not a doctor, but the vaccines don’t work. Or, I’m not an epidemiologist, but vaccines are going to give you a third nipple and make you sterile.’ Come on. That, to me? That should not be allowed.”
We’re with you coach.
So keep fighting the fight. Hopefully, the unvaccinated will join you before it’s too late.
