‘Rivera strong' after cancer treatments

Washington Football Team coach Ron Rivera would be doing a lot better if his team’s record was reversed. It’s not and while he knew it would be a Mount Everest-like climb to reverse a losing football culture in Washington, he might not have saw this coming.

- Chris Russell

First, there was a massive name-change controversy followed by a sexual harassment scandal. Then came a cancer diagnosis. As if things couldn’t get harder or more serious, Rivera had to battle cancer? Sadly, that’s the reality the first-year boss in Washington has to deal with, and yet, he didn’t miss a single game. Practices? Yes, but that was limited.

Finally, there was some good news. The day after beating Dallas and at the start of the bye week, Rivera completed his initial cancer care.

“It was surreal to know that I’ve completed my treatments,” he said. “Obviously, now it’s about recovery. Now it’s about medicine doing, finishing up its job. That’s what you pray for and you hope for.”

Rivera pointed out the bye week came at the perfect time for him because he was able to relax his body and mind a little and recharge the batteries from what he has endured.

“So far things have been good,” he said. “I’ll continue to pray and continue to do the things that the doctors tell me.”