ASHBURN, Va. -- Ron Rivera was chatting with former Chicago Bears teammate Walter Payton on the sidelines during a game in 1996. The conversation started about a defensive call; it ended with Rivera traveling a new career path, with Payton clearing the way.
Payton was on the Bears' board of directors, and also doing some TV work; Rivera was working for a local TV station.
"He's the one that got me my [coaching] job," Rivera said.
The Bears selected Rivera in the second round of the 1984 draft out of Cal, and he played nine seasons in Chicago, including the most celebrated in franchise history.