Hall of Fame
Position: Defensive Tackle
Years: 1979-1982
Place of Birth: Crystal City, TX
Date of Birth: Apr 07, 1961
Place of Death: San Antonio, TX
Date of Death: July 16, 2018
Jersey Number: 69
Height: 6-3
Weight: 280
High School: Jefferson (San Antonio, Texas)
The most accomplished defensive lineman in Red Raiders history, Rivera earned consensus All-America honors as a senior in 1982, and he stands as one of only five Red Raider players in the Hall of Fame.
Carrying the nickname "Señor Sack", Rivera averaged 80 tackles per season from his defensive tackle spot. He compiled 62 solo tackles, 43 assists, 10 TFL, five sacks, 25 quarterback pressures and eight pass breakups during his All-America campaign in 1982. He was named an Honorable Mention All-American in 1980 and 1981, and earned First Team All-Southwest Conference honors in 1982 and Second Team All-SWC accolades in 1981.
Chosen with the 21st overall pick in the 1983 NFL Draft, Rivera played six games for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rivera had his career cut short when he was left a paraplegic by injuries suffered in a car accident midway through his rookie season.
Rivera was inducted into the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. He is also a member of the Texas Tech Hall of Honor. He volunteered as a tutor with Inner City Development in San Antonio, and he worked with Gridiron Heroes, a nonprofit that aids high school football players that have suffered spinal cord injuries.
Rivera passed away July 16, 2018, at the age of 57.
