Ron Rivera's Full Circle Moment Still Elicits "Shock" as he's Inducted to the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame
The family gets back together in Vegas
For Cal Football General Manager Ron Rivera, it hasn’t always been sunshines and roses in acknowledging what he’s done throughout his football career. From becoming an All-American as a Golden Bear, to a Super Bowl champion in a NFL career that included a run where he played through a fracture in his leg and now as a coach/front office figure, there’s a lot that has crossed Rivera’s path.
But its taken several people to remind him of the pathway that earned him a spot in the inaugural Hispanic Football Hall of Fame class. Rivera exclusively sat down with Write For California to discuss how this went from a situation not on the radar, to one full of “why me?” questions and how it eventually ended up in a series of moments that allowed him to appreciate what his football life has amounted to.
Building the Hispanic Hall
With the presence of the Black College Football Hall of Fame and Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, there was a noticeable lack of celebration for Hispanics who have impacted the game.
Those same people who endorsed and got the aforementioned Hall of Fame’s in motion, Kevin Kaplan and Troy White sat down with former NFL OT Anthony Munoz and Rivera to try and jumpstart a chapter of Hispanic impact.
After successful attempts to find funding and then getting validation from the NFL, it was time to get the ball rolling.
“It was about a year process. It really was about getting people together, talking about what we’re going to do, with the sole purpose of having the annual event and football game played as well. They’re going to play the first [Hispanic High School] football game in Mexico City.” - Ron Rivera on the timeline of the Hispanic Hall and his contribution coming together
From a thought to reality
As due diligence was done, Rivera was approached about being on the founding board of the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame. He had a very matter of fact response when initially probed:
“Guys, come on, who am I?” - Rivera on the first acknowledgement of his impact to Hispanics in football.
It took Rivera some time to come to terms with the impact he could have on a community in trying to build this up. That realization came in the form of a memory adjacent to the Cal Football program. Rivera was supposed to be the Head Coach for Cal QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele in the Polynesian Bowl, but had to step away due to interviews elsewhere.
Despite that, once he was told about the circumstances surrounding that game and what something like that could be for Hispanics, he returned to the idea that being on the board is something that can pay off.
To get to the finish line, another Golden Bear would help usher in this new environment together.
David Ortega Sr.
“He was one of the first people I talked to. He said we have to do this. I said are you sure and he said yeah….I finally talked to Anthony [Munoz] and he said Ron we need to do this. So I said as long as you’re there I’ll do it.” - Ron Rivera
Getting the band back together in Sin City
Board of Directors member Sandy Nunez had to almost plead with Rivera to understand why he was in the inaugural class, with repeated points that it was more than just what you did as a player.
On the other side, Rivera noted the class and wondered if he belonged alongside people not only that were peers, but some whom he looked up to himself.
WR Tom Fears
QB/HC Tom Flores
LB Ted Hendricks
OT Anthony Muñoz
QB Jim Plunkett
RB Steve Van Buren
Nunez reiterated to the Cal great that “its about your whole contribution, there’s not a limit.” At that point, Rivera relented. As texts and calls came from roughly 35-40 people, across former coaches, teammates and players, the reality set in that this was more than a casual accolade.
Fast forward to May 5th, it was time for the induction ceremony. In front of 300 people, including football icons, what was once just a concept became a physical reality. And that’s when it hit Rivera mentally and emotionally despite being involved in the preparation process and on stage itself.
“For me personally, it was about [realizing], gosh I did have a great career. College All-American, second draft pick into a Super Bowl Championship Team, played and coached in championship games, went through all these things. That’s crazy how I did all that. That’s how it was for me when I sat back and really thought about it.” - Rivera on processing going into a HOF
In front of his family who came from as far as Charlotte and Miami out west, his wife’s Stephanie and her family who were local to the area and Head Coach Tosh Lupoi, a full circle moment was experienced among those closest to Rivera. One that finally drove home the ethos of it all for the football stalwart.
“I learned the value of [the Hispanic Hall of Fame induction] based on the way people reached out and talked to me. People tried to tell me, ‘you made an impact’. I had a couple of people after the ceremony tell me, ‘you know you’re the reason I played football. I wanted to play like you’. That’s what did it.” - Rivera on how he’s come to terms with being in the Hispanic HOF
Seriously, how is it that Tony Gonzales (tight end from Cal) wasn't included in the inaugural class?
Congratulations to Ron and his beloved family. Go Calbears!