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Ron Rivera (born January 7, 1962 in Fort Ord, California) is the first Puerto Rican to play in the NFL (National Football League).
Rivera's parents were born in Puerto Rico. His father joined the Army and was a commissioned officer stationed in California where Ron was born. As a result of his father's military service, Rivera had to travel and was educated in military bases in Germany, Panama, Washington and Maryland. Finally his family moved to central California where he attended Seaside High School. That's where he started playing football.
Rivera was granted a college scholarship and played for the California Golden Bears at CSU. He was an All-American linebacker who once held his school's all-time sack record and was first in career tackles. Rivera still holds the Cal record for most tackles for-a-loss in a season in 1983.
In 1984, Rivera was a second round choice draft pick for the Chicago Bears, becoming the first Puerto Rican to play in the "NFL". In 1985, he played in the XX Super Bowl, which the Bears won and he thus became the first Puerto Rican to play in a Super Bowl Championship Team. Rivera played for the Bears for a total of nine seasons (1984-1992). After the Bears won the Super Bowl, Rivera participated in the famed rap music video the team made.
In 1993, Rivera went to work for WGN-TV and SportsChannel in Chicago as a T.V. analyst covering the Bears and college football. In 1996, he became the defense quality control coach for the Bears.
In 1999, Rivera was named linebackers coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. During his tenure the Eagles advanced to the NFC (National Football Conference) Championships for three consecutive seasons. He is credited with developing linebacker Jeremiah Trotter into a two-time Pro Bowl performer.
On January 23, 2004, Rivera was named the Chicago Bears Defensive Coordinator, becoming the first Puerto Rican in the history of the NFL to hold such a position.
Ron Rivera is married and has two children with his wife Stephanie who happens to be the asisstant coach of the WNBAs Washington Mystics. In 2003 Ron Rivera was inducted into the Division 1-A College Football Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the California Sports Hall of Fame.
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