Dolores and Eugenio Rivera, the parents of American football coach Ron Rivera, have been supportive of their son’s football career from the start. Ron Rivera was raised in a military home. His father served in the United States Army as a Puerto Rican and was stationed in California, where he met his future wife, Dolores. Growing up in a strict environment taught Ron the value of discipline and responsibility, which can be observed in his teaching approach.
Ronald Eugene Rivera is the current head coach of the Washington Commanders of the National Football League. Ron had an incredible NFL career as a player before becoming a coach, having been picked in the second round of the 1984 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. After retiring from playing, he joined the Bears’ coaching staff in 1997 as a quality control coach. Rivera later served as a linebackers coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2004, he returned to the Bears as defensive coordinator, where he was named Assistant Coach of the Year. Rivera joined the Carolina Panthers’ head coach after a run with the San Diego Chargers when he became the franchise’s winningest coach. He was named NFL Coach of the Year twice and guided the club to Super Bowl 50.
Who Are Dolores and Eugenio Rivera? Ron Rivera Parents
Ron Rivera, the great football coach, has always looked to his parents, Dolores and Eugenio Rivera, for inspiration and support. Dolores, Ron’s mother, took great care to insulate him from unpleasant news that may distract him from his game when he was a young athlete. Her encouragement and support were critical in keeping Ron focused and committed. Ron was born in 1962 to a mixed household in California.
Eugene, his father, is of Puerto Rican ethnicity, and Dolores, his mother, is of Mexican and Filipino descent. Ron’s father, Eugenio Rivera, served in the United States Army for 32 years, causing the family to relocate multiple times. As a consequence, Ron attended schools in countries such as Germany, Panama, and Washington, D.C. They finally made their home in Marina, California. Unfortunately, Ron’s mother, Dolores, died in 2022 due to unclear circumstances. Ron recalled his mother as an active participant in a variety of events, including bake sales and Christmas bazaars, as well as working as a team mom for her son’s sports teams.
Cancer took the life of Ron’s brother.
Rivera lost a close family member to cancer. When his elder brother, Mickey, died of pancreatic cancer, he suffered a painful loss. Mickey was diagnosed in 2013 and died in 2015 in Reno, Nevada, at the age of 56. In remembering Mickey, Ron emphasized his selflessness and humility. Mickey, despite his condition, did not seek compassion. Instead, he hoped that people would not feel sorry for him, recognizing that he had led a decent life.
Mickey’s battle with pancreatic cancer had a profound effect on Ron, prompting him to donate to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Ron battled his cancer struggle in 2020, undergoing chemotherapy throughout the football season.
