Ironically, it was all lost that day. Nine years later, Rivera has emerged as one of the NFL's most trusted head coaches after a 15-1 season that brought the former Bears linebacker national recognition he earned through uncommon effort and sincerity. The longtime assistant who interviewed for 11 head-coaching positions before landing his first job now stands four quarters away from returning to the Super Bowl, perhaps again to match wits against quarterback Peyton Manning, the way he did in Miami with the Bears, if the Panthers and Broncos both prevail. How fascinating that would be.