CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Former Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera, now the head coach for Washington, told ESPN Thursday that he has been diagnosed with lymph node cancer.
Rivera told ESPN's Adam Schefter he was diagnosed after a self check and that the cancer is in the early stages and that it is 'very treatable and curable."
According to Rivera's interview with ESPN, the 58-year-old felt a lump in his neck in early July, and saw several doctors and specialists before coming up with a treatment plan.
Rivera says his plan is to continue coaching. Support quickly poured in for Rivera on social media, with NFL teams, players and fans wishing him and his family well at this time.
Rivera was 76-63-1 as Panthers Head Coach from 2011-2019, but was fired in December. His teams won three NFC South division championships and played in Super Bowl 50.
He was quickly hired by Washington just weeks later.