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Keith Rivers
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Keith Rivers (born May 5, 1986) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals ninth overall in the 2008 NFL draft and also played for the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills. He played college football for the USC Trojans. After leaving football, he developed an interest in art and collection of works by contemporary artists.[1]
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Rivers was a decorated letterman in football at Lake Mary High School in Lake Mary, Florida. His awards include USA Today All-USA first team, Parade All-American, Super Prep All-American, Prep Star All-American, EA Sports All-American, Insiders.com All-American, Super Prep Elite 50, Prep Star Top 100 Dream Team, Lemming Top 10, Super Prep All-Dixie, Prep Star All-Southeast, Fox Sports Net All-South, Gatorade Florida Player of the Year and Florida Class 6A Mr. Football runner-up as a senior linebacker.[2] He played in the 2004 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
College career
[edit]Rivers was heavily recruited. Then-University of Florida coach Ron Zook, noted for his recruiting ability, made a strong push, including talking to Rivers at 2 a.m. on National Signing Day in 2003. In the end, Rivers selected USC; and, to cinch the pact, the Trojan coaching staff committed to bestowing Rivers, a worthy future player, with the famed USC linebacker jersey # 55 to wear during his Trojan career, which is selectively awarded and has traditionally been given to a promising linebacker with the potential of becoming a USC football and NFL great, and includes past Trojan and NFL star players, all members of the so-called USC linebacker "Club 55", such as Junior Seau, Willie McGinest and Chris Claiborne.[3]
USC linebacker coach Ken Norton Jr nicknamed Rivers "the Shark" for his aggressive play on the field, juxtaposed to his polite demeanor off of it.[4]
Rivers was on the watch list in 2006 for the Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, and Lott Trophy. He was 2006 Rivals.com and coaches first-team all-Pac-10. The All-American selection with 78 tackles, Rivers decided to stay for his senior season.[5]
Rivers was a 2007 preseason Sporting News, Street & Smith's, Lindy's, Phil Steele's, Blue Ribbon and NationalChamps.net All-American. At the end of the 2007 regular season, Rivers was selected to the All-Pacific-10 Conference first-team for the second year in a row by league coaches.[6] He was also selected to the SI.com All-American First-team.[7]
He graduated from USC with a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy, Management, and Planning.[8]
Professional career
[edit]| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 2+1⁄4 in (1.89 m) |
241 lb (109 kg) |
33 in (0.84 m) |
11 in (0.28 m) |
4.54 s | 1.56 s | 2.65 s | 4.38 s | 42.0 in (1.07 m) |
10 ft 7 in (3.23 m) |
24 reps | ||
| All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[9][10] | ||||||||||||
Cincinnati Bengals
[edit]Rivers was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 2008 NFL draft with the ninth overall pick.[11] Rivers signed a contract with the Bengals on August 5, ending the 10-day holdout.[12]
Keith Rivers began his rookie season with 10 tackles against the Baltimore Ravens. In the following game against the Tennessee Titans, Rivers totaled 8 tackles. Against the New York Giants, Rivers recorded two tackles, while against the Cleveland Browns Rivers defensive production totaled 8 tackles. Rivers' rookie season was abruptly ended due to a shattered jaw suffered during a block by Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward in Week 7, when Ward's helmet struck Rivers' chin. That action and the season-ending injury that resulted led to the NFL instituting the "Hines Ward Rule" [13] after the season, whereby it would henceforth be illegal for blockers to land a blindside block using their helmet, forearm or shoulder, to strike at the head or neck area of a defender.
Despite missing the final nine games, Rivers finished his rookie season with 37 tackles, one interception, and a forced fumble. Rivers received the only vote for 2008 Defensive Rookie of the Year that didn't go to winner Jerod Mayo.[14]
New York Giants
[edit]On April 11, 2012, Rivers was traded to the New York Giants for a 5th round draft pick in the 2012 NFL draft.[15]
Buffalo Bills
[edit]On March 12, 2014, Rivers signed a two-year, $5 million contract with the Buffalo Bills.[16] Rivers was released by the Bills on February 17, 2015.
Dallas Cowboys
[edit]Rivers signed with the Dallas Cowboys on March 4, 2015.[17] Rivers retired from football on the first day of Cowboys training camp on July 31.[18]
NFL statistics
[edit]| Year | Team | GP | Tackles | Fumbles | Interceptions | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comb | Solo | Ast | Sack | FF | FR | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD | |||
| 2008 | CIN | 7 | 37 | 24 | 13 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 39 | 39.0 | 39 | 0 | 1 |
| 2009 | CIN | 13 | 72 | 46 | 26 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2010 | CIN | 15 | 77 | 51 | 26 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2011 | CIN | 0 | Did not play due to injury | |||||||||||
| 2012 | NYG | 11 | 44 | 34 | 10 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013 | NYG | 16 | 45 | 23 | 22 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2014 | BUF | 12 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career[19] | 74 | 291 | 189 | 102 | 3.0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 39 | 19.5 | 39 | 0 | 7 | |
Life after football
[edit]After retiring from football, Rivers delved in to the art world, deepening an interest that was sparked in high school. He studied modern art and went to art shows. Starting with his first purchase of a piece by Andy Warhol, his collection has expanded to include works by Barbara Kruger and John Baldessari and more contemporary artists like Rashid Johnson and Glenn Ligon.[1] He served as a guest judge in the 2023 reality TV competition, The Exhibit: Finding the Next Great Artist.[20]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Chen, Min (March 13, 2019). "After an N.F.L. Career, Keith Rivers Is Exploring Another Field". New York Times. New York, NY. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ^ USC Trojans, Keith Rivers Archived 2009-05-26 at the Wayback Machine, USC Player Bio, November 14, 2007.
- ^ Chris Harry, Rivers lives up to No. 55, Orlando Sentinel, February 25, 2008.
- ^ Mark Saxon, USC's Shark attack Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, The Orange County Register, August 24, 2007.
- ^ "SI.com - NCAA Football - USC's top tackler to return for senior year - Thursday January 11, 2007 7:24PM". Archived from the original on January 15, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2007.
- ^ Pac-10 Football Awards and All-Conference Team Announced Archived 2009-02-12 at the Wayback Machine, Pacific 10 Conference, December 3, 2007.
- ^ SI.com's All-Americas, SI.com, December 11, 2007.
- ^ James Walker, Rookie Rivers should fill immediate Bengals' needs, ESPN.com, May 31, 2008, Accessed June 4, 2008.
- ^ "Keith Rivers Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
- ^ "2008 Draft Scout Keith Rivers, Southern California NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
- ^ "2008 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
- ^ Bengals ink Rivers
- ^ NFL approves 'Hines Ward rule', Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 24 2009
- ^ Patriots' Mayo wins Defensive Rookie of Year award
- ^ "Keith Rivers traded from Bengals to Giants for fifth-round pick". NFL.com.
- ^ "Bills, LB Keith Rivers agree to terms". Archived from the original on March 13, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
- ^ Keith Rivers signs one-year contract with Cowboys
- ^ Veteran LB Keith Rivers retiring from NFL
- ^ "Keith Rivers Stats". ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
- ^ Chen, Min (April 3, 2023). "'The Exhibit' Recap: In the Reality Show's Fourth Episode Judges Clash Over Beauty and Justice". Artnet. New York, NY. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
External links
[edit]Keith Rivers
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Childhood and family background
Keith Rivers was born on May 5, 1986, in Riverside, California.[1] He spent the first eight years of his life in nearby San Bernardino before his family relocated to Lake Mary, Florida, where he would grow up and attend high school.[12] Rivers was raised in a close-knit family led by his father, a retired military veteran who single-handedly brought up Rivers and his two older brothers, Reggie and Gary, following his parents' divorce.[13] His father instilled values of discipline and resilience. Reggie, the eldest, served as a role model during Rivers' early years, having earned MVP honors in his first year of peewee football, which inspired Rivers to pursue similar athletic paths. Gary, the middle brother, emphasized the importance of education and perseverance, offering guidance that shaped Rivers' approach to challenges.[13] From a young age, Rivers developed a passion for sports, particularly football, introduced through family influences and local youth leagues. He began playing peewee football, training rigorously during fall breaks under coach Willie Pauldo, who stressed commitment and standing out from the crowd. These early experiences in California's Inland Empire and later in Florida's suburban environment laid the foundation for his athletic development, leading into his standout high school career at Lake Mary High School.[13]High school career
Keith Rivers attended Lake Mary High School in Lake Mary, Florida, where he played football from 2001 to 2003, emerging as a standout outside linebacker.[14] As a junior in 2002, he recorded 145 tackles, 12 sacks, and 3 interceptions, contributing significantly to the team's defensive efforts.[14] In his senior year of 2003, Rivers tallied 111 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, and 2 interceptions, earning recognition as the Florida Class 6A Defensive Player of the Year and runner-up for the overall state player award.[14] Rivers received numerous accolades for his senior season, including selections as a Parade All-American, Super Prep All-American, Tom Lemming All-American, USA Today All-USA first-team honoree, and Gatorade Florida Player of the Year.[14][12] He also participated in the 2004 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, showcasing his skills alongside top national prospects in San Antonio, Texas.[15] As one of the nation's top recruits in the class of 2004, Rivers drew interest from elite programs including Florida.[16] He ultimately committed to the University of Southern California in January 2004, citing a strong connection from his visit and his California roots, and signed during National Signing Day that February.[17][16]College career
USC Trojans
Keith Rivers enrolled at the University of Southern California in 2004, where he played as a true freshman linebacker, appearing in all 13 games with limited defensive snaps and recording one interception for 22 yards.[3] His early contributions helped the Trojans secure the 2004 Pac-10 championship and win the national title in the 2005 Orange Bowl against Oklahoma.[14] As a sophomore in 2005, Rivers debuted as the starting weakside linebacker, wearing jersey number 55, and started 11 games while posting 52 tackles, including 3 tackles for loss and 1 sack.[18] He played a key role in USC's Pac-10 title win and appearance in the 2006 Rose Bowl, though the team fell short in the national championship game against Texas.[14] In his junior year of 2006, Rivers started all 13 games and led the team with 85 tackles, along with 7.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 pass breakups, earning recognition as a defensive leader during another Pac-10 championship season.[14] As a senior in 2007, he served as team captain, started 12 of 13 games (missing one due to an ankle injury), and recorded 78 tackles—second on the team—plus 5 tackles for loss, 4 pass breakups, and 1 forced fumble, contributing to USC's third consecutive Pac-10 title and a final ranking of No. 2 nationally.[14] Throughout his USC career, Rivers amassed 215 total tackles and 15.5 tackles for loss, establishing himself as a cornerstone of the Trojans' defense during a dominant era under coach Pete Carroll.[3] Academically, he majored in public policy, management, and planning, earning his degree in 2008.[14]Awards and honors
During his sophomore season in 2005, Rivers earned All-Pac-10 honorable mention honors after starting 11 games and recording 52 tackles.[19] As a junior in 2006, he was selected to the first-team All-Pac-10 by conference coaches, highlighting his emergence as a standout linebacker with 85 tackles and three forced fumbles.[20] He also received Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Week recognition for his performance against Arkansas, where he tallied eight tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.[19] Rivers' senior year in 2007 marked his most decorated campaign, as he repeated as a first-team All-Pac-10 selection by the coaches after recording 78 tackles (second on the team).[21] He earned first-team All-American honors from Sports Illustrated and Pro Football Weekly, while being named to the second team by the Walter Camp Football Foundation.[12][22] Entering the season, Rivers was recognized as a preseason All-American by Playboy magazine.[14] Additionally, he advanced to the quarterfinals of the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which honors defensive players for their on-field and off-field contributions.[23] These accolades reflected Rivers' pivotal role in USC's defensive success, bolstering a unit that helped the Trojans secure consecutive Rose Bowl victories in 2006 and 2008 while maintaining the program's reputation for elite linebacker play.[24]Professional career
Cincinnati Bengals
Keith Rivers was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the ninth overall pick in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft as an outside linebacker, following a standout college career at USC that highlighted his speed and coverage skills.[1] In his rookie season of 2008, Rivers quickly earned a starting role, appearing and starting in the first seven games and recording 37 total tackles (24 solo) along with one interception for 39 yards before suffering a broken jaw from a legal block by Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward in Week 7, which sidelined him for the remainder of the year.[25][26] He demonstrated early promise as a versatile defender in the Bengals' 4-3 scheme, contributing in pass coverage and run support despite the abbreviated campaign.[1] From 2009 to 2010, Rivers established himself as a consistent rotational and starting outside linebacker, playing in 28 games with 26 starts and amassing 149 total tackles (97 solo), two sacks, and one additional interception. His most productive year came in 2010, when he started 13 of 15 games and led his Bengals tenure with 77 total tackles (51 solo) and one sack, helping anchor the defense amid a 4-12 season.[1] However, injuries hampered his availability, including missing three games in 2009 due to a calf injury and his entire 2011 season after undergoing wrist surgery in July, which placed him on the physically unable to perform list initially and the reserve/non-football injury list in late November.[27] Over his four seasons with Cincinnati, Rivers totaled 186 tackles (121 solo), two sacks, and two interceptions in 35 games (33 starts), serving as a key piece in the linebacker corps before the team sought to refresh the position.[1] On April 12, 2012, the Bengals traded Rivers to the New York Giants in exchange for a fifth-round pick (No. 167 overall), which Cincinnati used to select safety George Iloka.[28] The move came after Rivers' injury-plagued 2011 and reflected the Bengals' shift toward younger talent at linebacker.[1]New York Giants
On April 12, 2012, the New York Giants acquired Keith Rivers from the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for their fifth-round draft pick in the 2012 NFL Draft (the 167th overall selection, used by the Bengals to draft safety George Iloka).[1] The trade brought the former first-round pick (ninth overall in 2008) to New York as depth at outside linebacker, where he was expected to compete for a starting role amid injuries to other players on the depth chart.[29] Rivers appeared in 11 games for the Giants during the 2012 season, starting six, while splitting time between strong-side and weak-side linebacker duties.[1] He recorded 44 total tackles (34 solo) and one fumble recovery, providing support in run defense and coverage against tight ends.[1] Hampered by a hamstring injury that sidelined him for five games, Rivers contributed to the Giants' defensive efforts during a midseason turnaround, as the team won six consecutive games after an 0-6 start, though they ultimately finished 9-7 and missed the playoffs.[30] Following the 2012 campaign, Rivers re-signed with the Giants on a one-year contract in March 2013, aiming to establish himself as a more consistent presence in the linebacker room after the departures of veterans like Michael Boley.[30] In 2013, he played all 16 games, starting eight, and tallied 45 tackles (23 solo) along with another fumble recovery, logging significant snaps on defense (37% of total) and special teams (49%).[1] His tenure with New York concluded after the season, as he entered free agency and signed with the Buffalo Bills in March 2014.Buffalo Bills
In March 2014, Keith Rivers signed a two-year, $4.05 million contract with the Buffalo Bills as a free agent, adding veteran depth to the linebacker position following his tenure with the New York Giants.[31] The deal included a $1 million signing bonus and was intended to bolster the Bills' linebacker corps amid a defensive overhaul.[32] Rivers joined a Bills defense undergoing a rebuild under new coordinator Jim Schwartz, who emphasized run-stopping and physicality at the linebacker spot.[33] He started the 2014 season as the strongside linebacker, contributing early to the unit's improved run defense, which ranked among the league's top performers in yards allowed per carry.[34] Over the course of the year, however, his role diminished due to injuries and competition from younger players like Nigel Bradham and Preston Brown. In 2014, Rivers appeared in 12 games with three starts, recording 16 combined tackles (11 solo) but no sacks or interceptions.[1] A groin injury suffered in Week 1 sidelined him for the next two games and limited his participation thereafter, reducing him to a rotational player on just 17% of defensive snaps.[35] Despite the setbacks, he provided leadership and occasional coverage support in a scheme that prioritized aggressive front-seven play.[36] The Bills released Rivers on February 17, 2015, prior to the start of the 2015 season, freeing up approximately $1.7 million in salary cap space as the team continued reshaping its defense.[37]Dallas Cowboys and retirement
On March 4, 2015, Keith Rivers signed a one-year contract worth $825,000 with the Dallas Cowboys, adding veteran depth to their linebacker corps.[38][39] Rivers did not appear in any games for the Cowboys. After candid discussions with head coach Jason Garrett just before the team departed for training camp in California, he opted not to report and was placed on the reserve/retired list on July 30, 2015.[6][10] At age 29, Rivers retired citing the cumulative impact of injuries sustained throughout his seven-year NFL career, including knee and ankle issues early on, a season-ending wrist injury in 2011, a bruised knee from a 2012 car accident, and a groin strain during his 2014 stint with the Buffalo Bills.[10][40][41] These ailments had limited him to just 74 games over his professional tenure, prompting him to prioritize long-term health over continuing play.[9] Following his retirement announcement, Rivers immediately began planning his transition from football, reflecting on new opportunities beyond the sport through conversations with family and close advisors.[42]NFL statistics
Keith Rivers played in 74 regular-season games over seven NFL seasons from 2008 to 2014, starting 50 of them, and recorded 291 total tackles (189 solo and 102 assisted), 3.0 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, and 7 passes defended.[1] His career also included 1 forced fumble, 20 tackles for loss, and 7 quarterback hits.[1] These figures reflect his role as a rotational and starting outside linebacker, with an average of approximately 3.9 tackles per game across his tenure.[1] Rivers' production peaked in his second and third seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. In 2009, he started all 13 games and tallied 72 tackles (46 solo), 1 sack, and 1 interception. The following year, in 2010, he appeared in 15 games with 13 starts, leading his career with 77 tackles (51 solo), another sack, and 2 passes defended. His output declined after a trade to the New York Giants in 2012, where injuries limited his play; he managed 44 tackles (34 solo) and 1 fumble recovery in 11 games that year. In 2013, he started 8 of 16 games for 45 tackles (23 solo) and his third career sack. His final season in 2014 with the Buffalo Bills saw reduced snaps, with 16 tackles (11 solo) in 12 games and 3 starts. He did not play in 2011 due to injury. Below is a year-by-year summary of his key defensive statistics:| Year | Team | Games | Starts | Tackles (Solo/Ast) | Sacks | INT | FR | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | CIN | 7 | 7 | 37 (24/13) | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2009 | CIN | 13 | 13 | 72 (46/26) | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2010 | CIN | 15 | 13 | 77 (51/26) | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2011 | - | 0 | 0 | 0 (0/0) | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | NYG | 11 | 6 | 44 (34/10) | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2013 | NYG | 16 | 8 | 45 (23/22) | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2014 | BUF | 12 | 3 | 16 (11/5) | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 74 | 50 | 291 (189/102) | 3.0 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
