Rivera returns to work with message of inspiration after attending brother’s funeral
Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera returned to work Monday with a message for his players.
Rivera missed the previous two days of training camp practice to attend the funeral in Reno, Nevada for his brother Mickey, who died last week following a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
The fifth-year coach said Mickey was an inspiration to him, and that players can learn a lesson from the way his brother conducted his life.
Mickey Rivera sold everything several years ago and moved his family to Reno to purchase a Little Caesars pizza franchise. There, he worked tirelessly alongside his wife to build it into a successful business.
“The thing I share with the players is that my brother Mickey made a total commitment,” Rivera said following Monday’s steamy practice when the heat index reached 109 degrees. “… I have told the players how making a total commitment is so important. When you sell everything and put everything on you (to succeed), to me that is a tremendous thing.”
Rivera wants to see his players do the same thing this season.
He spent time with Mickey, his parents and other family members during a vacation earlier this summer.
Mickey visited Charlotte in January when Rivera’s home caught fire after a malfunction in his fireplace, causing $500,000 in damages. Rivera honored Mickey with a game ball a few days later after the Panthers defeated the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC playoffs.
Rivera, who played nine seasons for the Chicago Bears before getting into coaching, called Mickey one of his “first and best teammates,” saying he was an inspiration the way he fought the cancer with a positive attitude.
Rivera said he’ll miss his brother, adding “he’s in a better place now.”
Around the league
Packers tight end Andrew Quarless revealed he missed the first two days of training camp because his daughter died at birth last week. “It’s the saddest day of my life,” Quarless said. … Two years after becoming the league’s highest-paid punter, Britton Colquitt has increased his chances of making the Broncos’ roster by agreeing to a $1.4 million pay cut. Colquitt now will make $1.6 million this season. … The Giants finally have spoken with defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul about his injuries. Giants GM Jerry Reese said “it was a personal conversation, and I want to keep it private between him and I.” … Bills offensive line coach Aaron Kromer has rejoined the team. On Sunday, the Bills suspended Kromer without pay for the first six games of the regular season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Kromer’s suspension begins Sept. 7.