Exiting NFL coach raises $30k at Yard Sale for Charlotte Humane Society

[underpants]

Surrounded by rescue dogs: Is there a more fitting Charlotte goodbye for the Riveras?

In the latest Charlotte celebrities, they’re people too news, the Panthers former head coach, Ron Rivera, and his wife, Stephanie, had the exact same idea. The Riveras are moving to Washington, D.C., where Ron got a new job.

On Saturday, the Humane Society of Charlotte hosted a Ron Rivera-Panthers Yard Sale, selling new and gently used items donated by the Riveras. Also for sale were items belonging to and signed by Cam Newton, Greg Olsen and Luke Kuechly.

“We wanted to make sure we gave back every opportunity we could. This is kind of our swan song, our last opportunity to say thank you one more time,” Ron said on Saturday before the sale.


Tahoe and Sierra Rivera, Ron and Stephanie Rivera’s dogs, were donning Washington Redskins leashes at the Humane Society of Charlotte’s yard sale on Saturday. Melissa Oyler CHARLOTTEFIVE

The Humane Society of Charlotte is raising money toward its capital campaign for a new facility, and the Riveras have been instrumental in making that happen. Using campaign money, The Humane Society will build a 46,000-square-foot campus with an ultimate goal of enhanced care.

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-people/article240298041.html

[Karadeniz]

1. Great idea! Good to see the opposite end of the spectrum from Michael Vick!

[RockRaven]

2. Maybe it's all just NFL/corporate media manipulation and spin, but

Ron Rivera consistently comes across as a good and respectable person regardless of whether he is winning or losing, succeeding or failing, in a business/industry where that is far from universal. Much like a QB (nominally, and at the moment) on his new team (who may never see the field again), Alex Smith.

That said, Dan Snyder is awful, so I cannot hope for good things for the Washington NFL team as a whole.

[underpants]

3. Rivera does seem to be a good guy

[tishaLA]

4. When this yard sale was announced, ProFootballTalk wrote

that Mr Rivera has supported the Humane Society in Charlotte consistently throughout his tenure as coach. They (corny, I know) called it his "pet project"

:

[DarthDem]

7. Nah, Well Said

I don't think it's spin. I always thought NFL media members overrated Ron's abilities as a head coach, but I also thought and still do that unlike many other NFL HCs, he's a genuinely nice person.** Kudos to him and his wife for doing this when they obviously could have declined and severed all ties with Charlotte as quickly as possible. Great story.

**In fact, these may be correlated.

[BobTheSubgenius]

5. Big props to what I'm sure is a lovely couple.

While I haven't followed the NFL in some time, his ouster seems a little unfair, given that their star quarterback was lost for the season. They basically put their offense on the back of a 3rd year running back who is going to be pounded into early retirement if he keeps getting the ball as often as he has.

205 pounds is not that big a guy to take that kind of punishment.

That is beside the point of Rivera being fired, though...and their could be behind-closed-doors reasons anyway. The very best of luck to the Riveras.

[underpants]

6. I agree completely

Plus Steve Smith retired and he was a one of a kind workman receiver. Ownership just followed the playbook.

[DarthDem]

8. All True, But

It's a franchise in serious transition. Steve Smith retired as underpants mentioned. They parted ways with Greg Olsen. Newton is surrounded by significant questions about his ability to lead a team to success. And then Kuechly retired abruptly in a move I don't believe many anticipated - a devastating blow to their defense. Other than McCaffrey and D.J. Moore - and those are big "other thans" to say the least - they're going to have some struggles to get top contributions this year, I believe. I think the owner decided it was time to install a new staff to assist with all of this.

I was glad RR was snapped up immediately but was sorry it had to be in a position working for one of the most inept owners in American sports.

[Maru Kitteh]

9. HOW WONDERFUL! Thanks for sharing this story :-)