SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera was born in Fort Ord, California, the son of Eugenio Rivera, who was a commissioned officer in the United States Army.
Stationed in California and subsequently other places such as Germany and Panama, Rivera grew up close to the military and has used his background to try to set an example for his players over the years. As players around the league follow San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's lead and offer silent protests of racial inequality in the U.S., Rivera is allowing his players to do what they want when it comes to the national anthem.