VIDEO: Panthers Have Weird Tribute Clip of Ron Rivera Literally Leaving the Team's Facility

Well, this is a strange but sweet tribute. Yesterday, the Panthers fired longtime head coach Ron Rivera following an ugly four-game losing streak. Wednesday, the team posted a video tribute to the former coach, where you can see him leaving the team facility for the final time. Riverboat Ron was Carolina's all-time winningest head coach, with a record of 76-63-1. Although his name was always rumored to be on the hot seat, his mid-season firing was unexpected to say the least.

It's sad to see Rivera (and his coffee) exiting the building for the final time, as the team had its best run of success under his leadership. With Rivera at the helm, the Panthers made the Super Bowl in 2015, where they lost to the Denver Broncos. To his credit, Rivera's exit from the organization has been as classy as any in recent memory.

One player who will miss Rivera the most is injured QB Cam Newton, who was "hurt deep" by the firing. Newton, who has been the subject of trade rumors himself, has played his entire career with Rivera as his coach.

A respected figure throughout the industry, Rivera will almost surely land on his feet. We would love to see Riverboat Ron and his transition lenses in the studio with Howie Long and Michael Strahan, if he decides that he's finished coaching.