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Richard Rodgers Sr. facts for kids

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Richard Rodgers Sr.
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Rodgers in 2021
Personal information
Born: (1961-10-28) October 28, 1961 (age 63)
Career information
College: California
Career history
As player:
  • Chicago Bruisers (1987)
  • Denver Dynamite (1987)
  • Los Angeles Cobras (1988)
  • Sacramento Attack (1992)
As coach:
  • Diablo Valley Community College (1989–1994)
    Assistant coach
  • San Jose State (1995–1996)
    Secondary and special teams assistant
  • Portland State (1997–2000)
    Secondary and special teams coach
  • New Mexico State (2001–2004)
    Secondary coach
  • Holy Cross (2005–2011)
    Defensive coordinator & secondary coach
  • Carolina Panthers (2012)
    Assistant special teams coach
  • Carolina Panthers (2012–2014)
    Special teams coordinator
  • Carolina Panthers (2015–2017)
    Assistant defensive backs & safeties coach
  • Carolina Panthers (2018)
    Secondary coach
  • Carolina Panthers (2019)
    Safeties coach
  • Washington Football Team / Commanders (2020)
    Assistant defensive backs coach
  • Washington Commanders (2023)
    Senior defensive assistant/safeties coach
Career highlights and awards
  • Second-team All-Pac-10 (1983)
Player stats at ArenaFan.com

Richard Rodgers Sr. (born October 28, 1961) is an American football coach and former player. He played in the Arena Football League (AFL). He is also the father of NFL player Richard Rodgers. His son is famous for a play called the "Miracle in Motown".

Richard Rodgers Sr. started coaching right after he stopped playing football. He coached at colleges for 24 seasons. Then, in 2012, he joined the National Football League (NFL). In 2014, he was part of the staff for the Pro Bowl. The next year, he coached in Super Bowl 50 with the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers were the NFC Champions that year. Rodgers is also well-known for being part of "The Play". This famous college football moment happened when he played for the California Golden Bears. He was a defensive back and earned special honors for his skills.

Richard Rodgers Sr.'s Playing Days

Richard Rodgers Sr. played college football at the University of California, Berkeley. He was a defensive back for the California Golden Bears. In 1983, he was named to the All-Pac-10 second team. This means he was one of the best players in his conference.

"The Play" in College Football

One of the most famous moments in college football history involves Richard Rodgers Sr. This was "The Play" against Stanford in 1982. In this game, the California Golden Bears used multiple lateral passes on the final kickoff. This helped them score a touchdown as time ran out. Rodgers was part of this incredible play.

After college, Rodgers played in the Arena Football League (AFL). He played for several teams. These included the Chicago Bruisers and the Denver Dynamite in 1987. He also played for the Los Angeles Cobras in 1988. Later, he played for the Sacramento Attack in 1992.

Coaching Career Highlights

After his playing career, Richard Rodgers Sr. became a football coach. He spent many years coaching at the college level. He worked with different teams and helped players improve their skills.

College Coaching Experience

Rodgers started coaching at Diablo Valley Community College. He was an assistant coach there from 1989 to 1994. Then, he moved to San Jose State. From 1995 to 1996, he was an assistant for the secondary and special teams.

He continued his college coaching at Portland State from 1997 to 2000. He coached the secondary and special teams there too. From 2001 to 2004, he was the secondary coach for New Mexico State. His next stop was Holy Cross. He served as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach from 2005 to 2011.

Moving to the NFL

In 2012, Richard Rodgers Sr. joined the National Football League (NFL). He became an assistant special teams coach for the Carolina Panthers. He quickly moved up and became the special teams coordinator for the Panthers. He held this role from 2012 to 2014.

From 2015 to 2017, he coached the assistant defensive backs and safeties for the Panthers. In 2018, he was the secondary coach. In 2019, he coached the safeties.

In 2020, Rodgers joined the Washington Football Team. He was an assistant defensive backs coach until 2022. In 2023, he became the senior defensive assistant and safeties coach for the Washington Commanders.

Notable Coaching Achievements

Richard Rodgers Sr. has been part of some big moments in the NFL. In 2014, he was chosen to be part of the coaching staff for the Pro Bowl. This game features the best players from the NFL.

The next year, in 2015, he coached in Super Bowl 50. His team, the Carolina Panthers, played in the championship game. They were the NFC Champions that season.

Family Connection to Football

Richard Rodgers Sr. has a son who also plays professional football. His son, Richard Rodgers, is an NFL tight end.

The "Miracle in Motown"

His son, Richard Rodgers, is famous for a play known as the "Miracle in Motown". This happened in a game between the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions. Richard Rodgers caught a game-winning touchdown pass with no time left. This amazing play made his son well-known in the NFL.

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