How Walter Payton, Buddy Ryan and the ’85 Bears helped shape Ron Rivera’s coaching career

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…