Ron Rivera reaches 100 career wins in victory over Broncos

DENVER — This time, it was Josh Harris’ turn to give a gift to Ron Rivera.

This season, Rivera has rewarded the new team owner with a game ball after a series of firsts for the Commanders: first preseason win, first preseason home win, first regular season win. But after Washington’s 35-33 win over the Denver Broncos, Harris made sure to give a game ball to Rivera — for the 100th regular-season win of his career as an NFL head coach.

“There’s one guy in here with 100 wins,” Harris said in a team-posted video on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “One of only [44] coaches ever and one of only eight active coaches (with 100 wins), Ron Rivera, man!” 

Rivera became the NFL’s eighth active coach with 100 regular-season wins — joining a group that includes New England’s Bill Belichick, Kansas City’s Andy Reid, Seattle’s Pete Carroll, Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin, Dallas’ Mike McCarthy, Baltimore’s John Harbaugh and Denver’s Sean Payton.

100 career regular season victories ✅

this one’s for you, @RiverboatRonHC pic.twitter.com/AZoZUnMmeR

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 18, 2023

And for that to happen Sunday, Rivera’s team had to climb out of a three-score deficit and then hold on after a Hail Mary pass as time expired brought the Broncos within a two-point conversion — which they failed to get.

Rivera walked to the podium and joked his heart was “good” when a reporter asked how it was doing. He then winked and let out a big smile. 

“It’s really cool,” Rivera said of achieving 100 wins. “It really is. I’m really fortunate to have so many players and coaches that helped me get to where I am today. This is something that’s really about the team effort, and I’m very fortunate to have a lot of people to get me where I am today.” 

Rivera’s wins have come across stints with the Carolina Panthers and the Commanders. He served as Carolina’s coach from 2011 to 2019, racking up 76 regular-season wins. In Washington, he’s 24-27-1 since he was hired in 2020.