Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera is battling cancer. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Washington head coach Ron Rivera diagnosed with cancer, plans to coach in 2020

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 8/21/20

Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera recently was diagnosed with lymph node cancer, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, but he still plans to be on the sideline this season.

More Ron Rivera: “I’m planning to go on coaching. Doctors encouraged me to do it, too. They said, ‘If you feel strongly, do it. Don’t slow down, do your physical activities.’ But everyone keeps telling me by week three or four, you’ll start feeling it.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 21, 2020

Rivera's lymph node cancer is characterized as squamous cell carcinoma, which is a form of skin cancer. While it's not considered to be life-threatening, it can spread throughout the body and cause some serious problems.

The 58-year-old is establishing a treatment plan with doctors and specialists and says he was informed of his cancer diagnosis two weeks ago.

Rivera has a long season ahead of him with a squad that went 3-13 last season. However, Dwayne Haskins, Chase Young, Thaddeus Moss and Dontrelle Inman could lead his team to a brighter future ahead.

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