How did Ron Rivera become “Riverboat Ron?”
Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera aka “Riverboat Ron” recounted the story Friday as a guest on Pro Football Talk with host Mike Florio.
As a high school football player, he and his friends were out one day in Monterey, California, when suddenly Rivera spotted this large man and his family together. It was Oakland Raiders head coach John Madden. Rivera approached him, introduced himself, they chatted briefly and Rivera told Madden he was going to play in the NFL someday. To which Madden responded, encouraging Rivera to follow his dream, signing an autograph for Rivera. Rivera still possesses Madden’s autograph in an old scrapbook.
