Two NFL figures inducted into California Boys State Hall of Fame
The American Legion Department of California’s Boys State program kicked off its 79th session with the induction of two prominent NFL figures and program alumni into its Boys State Hall of Fame.
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera and NFL Executive Vice President and General Counsel Jeff Pash accepted their induction last Saturday in front of nearly 1,000 rising high school seniors from across the state who are attending the week-long program at California State University in Sacramento.
“(Boys State) helped drive me in the direction where I am today,” Rivera, a 1979 California Boys State alum, told ABC10. “(Boys State) is an opportunity for young men to be trained and get an understanding and feel for just how important politics are.”
Rivera, who led his team to the 2016 Super Bowl against the Denver Broncos, shared with The American Legion that his upbringing in a military family shaped the man and coach he is today. And during his Boys State visit, Rivera made his Army veteran and Legionnaire father, Eugenio, proud by joining the California Boys State Sons of The American Legion Squadron 338.
Following their induction, Rivera and Pash – a 1972 California Boys State alum – shared memories about their time at Boys State with the current delegates and Rivera took photos with the young men and signed autographs.
Rivera and Pash now join an elite group of 16 other program alumni inducted into the California Boys State Hall of Fame, such as Hollywood actor and 1983 Boys Nation president Donal Logue and former director of the U.S. Peace Corps Gaddi Vasquez. Other inductees include Tim Aboudara Sr., a 1972 alum and 42-year California Boys State staff member and a Boys Nation staff member; Barney LaRue, California Boys State Commission chairman emeritus; Richard Shick, California Boys State director; and Joe Cenoz, California Boys State chief counselor emeritus.
The young men will spend their week at California State University learning about the operation of local, county and state governments while gaining a stronger understanding of the rights, privileges, duties and responsibilities of a franchised citizen. At the end of the week, two Boys State delegates will be selected to attend Boys Nation in Washington, D.C., July 22-29.