Ron Rivera has been diagnosed with lymph node cancer, he shared with his team and the media on Thursday.
Rivera first noticed the cancer after discovering a lump in his neck, he told ESPN's Adam Schefter, and was formally diagnosed two weeks ago with Squaomos cell cancer of the neck.
The first-year head coach of the Washington Football Team plans on coaching through treatment, though he said the team has a Plan B in place.
“I’m planning to go on coaching. Doctors encouraged me to do it, too," he said. "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.”
Washington is scheduled to open its season three weeks from Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Rivera, 58, said he was angry upon learning the diagnosis because he feels like he's in the best shape of his life otherwise.
"I'm going through the proper treatment," he said. "This will be fine."
The FootballScoop staff wishes a full and speedy recovery for Rivera, and peace for his family in this difficult time.