Mickey Rivera has been battling cancer for over two years:
My brother Mickey passed today. He was one of my 1st & best teammates. Love u bro #RIP #Riverabrothers4ever pic.twitter.com/m8ThLJq303
— Ron Rivera (@RiverboatRonHC) July 28, 2015
My heart and prayers go out to Ron and his family as they mourn their loss. Spartanburg isn't going anywhere and i'm sure Wilks can hold it down while he is gone.
I did not realize that while the Panthers were battling for a division title and trying to win playoff games Rivera was privately dealing with his brother's sickness. Cancer touches someone in everyone's life these days so it's something most can relate too. It's hard enough without the spotlight pressure of being an NFL head coach. Yet it seems Rivera handled it just about as well as one could expect, even when his house caught on fire:
Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera could miss start of training camp after death of brother
Rivera told The Charlotte Observer in January that he found perspective in his brother's battle while the Panthers were going through a two-month losing streak and while he was dealing with the loss of his house to a fire. Rivera was given a game ball after Carolina beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-16 in the NFC playoffs. He then gave the ball to his brother.
"Knowing what he's been battling and going through, any of the problems I've had -- even this fire -- seem insignificant," Rivera told the newspaper at the time.
That certainly puts things in perspective.
Rest In Peace Mickey Rivera.