Washington football head coach Ron Rivera said he has been diagnosed with lymph node cancer after a self check. The story was first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter, who said Rivera caught the progression in the early stages with the cancer considered "very treatable and curable."
"I was stunned," the former Panthers' coach told Schefter. "But I was angry because I feel like I'm in best health I've been in."
Rivera said he felt a lump in his neck back in July. He immediately consulted doctors and specialists after the lump didn't subside. Rivera is currently seeking treatment and expects to be actively coaching during the upcoming NFL season.
Rivera, 58, was hired by Panthers' original owner Jerry Richardson in 2011 and served as the fourth head coach in franchise history.
"Riverboat Ron" spent nine seasons in Carolina, leading the team to an appearance in Super Bowl 50 with one of the greatest single-season performances in NFL history. The Panthers went 15–1 in the 2015 regular season with their only loss in week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Rivera posted a 79-67-1 record during his tenure with the Panthers before being fired last season.
Carolina heads to the nation's capital for a post-Christmas Week 16 meeting with Rivera and Washington on Dec. 27.