Las Vegas Raiders
Cal football general manager Ron Rivera at the podium on Tuesday after he is inducted into the inaugural 2026 class of the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame
California Football General Manager
Ron Rivera was inducted into the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame as a member of the inaugural 2026 Class on Tuesday evening during the Celebración de Fútbol at the Las Vegas Raiders headquarters and Intermountain Health Performance Center.
In addition to Rivera, the distinguished seven-member 2026 Class includes Tom Fears, Tom Flores, Ted Hendricks, Anthony Muñoz, Jim Plunkett and Steve Van Buren.
"We're doing this as a representation of who we are as a community," Rivera said about the Hispanic Football Foundation that he co-founded along with Muñoz as he closed his speech and thanked those in attendance at Tuesday evening's ceremony. "We're not just fans; we're athletes; we're performers. We support our players. We support our athletes. That's why we're doing this. It's important to know that who we are should be celebrated. We're here to celebrate greatness and what it truly looks like, especially in our community."
The group of legendary players and coaches honored made lasting contributions to the game of football while serving as trailblazers and role models within the Hispanic community. Their excellence on and off the field has helped shape the sport's history and inspire future generations.
"I take great pride in my Hispanic heritage, and it is a tremendous honor to be selected as part of the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame's inaugural class," Rivera said in February when he was selected to the class. "Every member of this class has made significant contributions to the game of football, and it is important that their contributions are recognized, honored and celebrated. We are thrilled that the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame has been established and excited about the role it will play in helping promote football to the Hispanic community."
In addition to honoring the Class of 2026, the event recognized Pro Player of the Year Nik Bonitto, College Player of the Year Fernando Mendoza, High School Player of the Year Ryan Estrada and other distinguished honorees.
Ron Rivera Notes
– Consensus first-team All-American, Lombardi Award finalist, East-West Shrine Game MVP, Pop Warner Award winner, and Pac-10 Co-Defensive Player of the Year as a collegiate senior in 1983 when he set a Cal single-season record that still stands today with 26.5 tackles for loss, including 13.0 sacks
– A member of the Cal Athletics Hall of Fame 1994 Class who led the Bears in tackles in each of his final three collegiate seasons (1981-83) and finished his career as the school's all-time record-holder with 336 tackles that still rank sixth on Cal's career list
– Had a successful nine-year NFL playing career as a linebacker with Chicago (1984-92), including a victory in Super Bowl XX to cap the 1985 season, after being a second-round draft pick of the Bears in 1984
– Worked primarily as an NFL broadcaster for four seasons (1993-96) between his playing and coaching careers
– Coached for 27 seasons in the NFL (1997-2023), including his last 13 as the head coach for Carolina (2011-19) and Washington (2020-23) after earlier tenures as an assistant coach and/or defensive coordinator on staffs in Chicago (1997-98, 2004-06), Philadelphia (1999-2003) and San Diego (2007-10)
– Two-time NFC champion and Super Bowl participant as a coach in 2006 as Chicago's defensive coordinator (Super Bowl XLI) and 2015 as Carolina's head coach (Super Bowl 50)
– Two-time AP NFL Coach of the Year (2013, '15)
– Winner of the 2022 George Halas Award given to an NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes adversity to succeed after making a full recovery from cancer diagnosed in 2020
– In 31 seasons as a collegiate or professional football player, coach or administrator has been with teams that have reached three Super Bowls, 10 conference championships, 21 playoffs and one bowl game
– Has served in his current position as the first General Manager for Cal football since March of 2025 with the role giving him complete oversight of the school's football program and a direct reporting line to University Chancellor Rich Lyons
– Has remained connected to the University of California, along with his wife, fellow Cal alum and former Golden Bears' women's basketball player, Stephanie, as Builders of Berkeley and consistent supporters of the Cal football, women's basketball, softball and golf programs
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