Talk about being in the wrong organization, not once but twice. That is how current Washington coach Ron Rivera has to feel.
In a text message to ESPN’s John Keim, first-year Washington coach Rivera said that the organization’s culture would change moving forward.
“Biggest thing is that we have to move forward from this and make sure everybody understands we have policies that we will follow and that we have an open door policy with no retribution,” Rivera said. “Plus my daughter works for the team and I sure as hell am not going to allow any of this!”
Rivera was coach of the Carolina Panthers when the scandal broke and original owner Jerry Richardson had to sell the team.
On December 17, 2017, Sports Illustrated reported that “at least four former Panthers employees have received ‘significant’ monetary settlements due to inappropriate workplace comments and conduct by owner Jerry Richardson, including sexually suggestive language and behavior, and on at least one occasion directing a racial slur at an African-American Panthers scout.” According to the anonymous sources which were the basis for the article, Richardson asked women in the team offices to “turn around so he could admire their backsides” on Casual Friday, among other “disturbing” office behavior.
Less than three years later, Rivera finds himself head coach of another team caught up in a massive scandal.
Former Washington Redskins employee Emily Applegate, and 14 other female employees who spoke on terms of anonymity, have alleged that the franchise has long worked under a toxic spell of serial sexual harassment and verbal abuse. More than one female sports reporter has added their names to that list.
Rivera was part of the process that righted the organization in Carolina. He seems to be an excellent person to be part of trying to rebuild what has become a disgraced Washington NFL franchise.
This comes days after the team announced it would find a new nickname despite controversial owner Daniel Snyder calling the current one a “badge of honor,” and saying he would “NEVER” change it. When companies threatened to pull millions out of their relationship with the team and Washington merchandise no longer being sold by massive businesses, that tune quickly changed.