Washington Football Team coach Ron Rivera is cancer-free

Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera was declared cancer-free after his latest checkup Thursday, his family announced on social media.

Rivera's wife, Stephanie, wrote on Twitter: "Prayers have been answered. Thx to all the Drs & nurses who 'coached up' @RiverboatRonHC and me and gave us the winning game plan to defeat cancer. The PET scan said it all, cancer you lost this fight! #RiveraStrong."

Rivera's daughter, Courtney, tweeted that she had "just gotten off the phone with mom and dad leaving the hospital [and] @RiverboatRonHC is officially cancer-free!!!"

The 59-year-old Rivera announced Aug. 20 that he was diagnosed with squamous cell cancer and needed to undergo seven weeks of treatment during the 2020 regular season. His treatment included three rounds of chemotherapy and proton therapy five days a week.

Rivera ended his cancer treatment Oct. 26. On that day, a video captured the moment when he walked down a hallway at Inova Schar Cancer Institute surrounded by cheering medical personnel. He then rung the bell to signal the end of his treatments.

Despite undergoing treatment throughout the season, Rivera missed only three practices but never missed a game.

Rivera guided the Football Team to an NFC East title this past season. Washington finished with a 7-9 record before losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round of the playoffs.