Richard Rodgers Sr. facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Richard Rodgers Sr.

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. was born on October 28, 1961. He is a well-known American football coach. Before coaching, 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.

After he stopped playing, Richard Rodgers Sr. started coaching right away. He coached college football for 24 years. Then, in 2012, he joined the NFL. In 2014, he was part of the coaching staff for the Pro Bowl. The next year, Rodgers coached in Super Bowl 50 with the Carolina Panthers. He is also famous for being part of "The Play" in college. This happened when he was a defensive back for the California Golden Bears.

Richard Rodgers Sr.'s Playing Career

Playing College Football

Richard Rodgers Sr. played college football for the California Golden Bears. He was a defensive back. In 1983, he earned special honors. He was named to the Second-team All-Pac-10.

"The Play" in College

One of the most famous moments in college football history involves Richard Rodgers Sr. It is known simply as "The Play." This happened in a game against Stanford. Rodgers was a key part of this incredible play. It is still talked about by football fans today.

Playing in the Arena Football League

After college, Rodgers played in the Arena Football League (AFL). He played for several teams. In 1987, he played for both the Chicago Bruisers and the Denver Dynamite. In 1988, he joined the Los Angeles Cobras. His last team in the AFL was the Sacramento Attack in 1992.

Richard Rodgers Sr.'s Coaching Journey

Starting as a College Coach

Richard Rodgers Sr. began his coaching career in 1989. He started as an assistant coach at Diablo Valley Community College. He stayed there until 1994. From 1995 to 1996, he was an assistant at San Jose State. He coached the secondary and special teams.

Coaching at Different Colleges

Rodgers continued coaching at the college level for many years.

• From 1997 to 2000, he coached at Portland State. He worked with the secondary and special teams.
• From 2001 to 2004, he was the secondary coach at New Mexico State.
• From 2005 to 2011, he coached at Holy Cross. He was the defensive coordinator and secondary coach there.

Coaching in the NFL

In 2012, Richard Rodgers Sr. moved to the NFL. He joined the Carolina Panthers.

• From 2012 to 2014, he was the assistant special teams coach. He then became the special teams coordinator.
• In 2015, he coached in Super Bowl 50 with the Panthers.
• From 2015 to 2017, he was the assistant defensive backs and safeties coach.
• In 2018, he became the secondary coach.
• In 2019, he coached the safeties for the Panthers.

Recent NFL Coaching Roles

After his time with the Panthers, Rodgers joined the Washington Commanders.

• From 2020 to 2022, he was the assistant defensive backs coach.
• In 2023, he took on a new role. He became the senior defensive assistant and safeties coach for the Commanders.