SAN MARCOS — Reggie Rivers is a proud Texas State University alumnus who became a professional football player for the Denver Broncos, pursued his passion for journalism, and has enjoyed a diverse career as a broadcaster, public speaker, and author.
Rivers grew up in Seguin, Texas, and attended high school in San Antonio, where his football skills earned him a full scholarship to Southwest Texas State University, now Texas State University. Rivers played running back for the Bobcats and graduated with a journalism degree in 1991. His success in college led to his induction into the Texas State Hall of Honor and the Southland Conference Hall of Fame. Reflecting on his time at Texas State, Rivers expressed gratitude for his college experience.
“Texas State changed my life. I was the first person in my family to go to college, and my experience at Texas State opened my eyes to a whole new world of career possibilities,” Rivers said. “I am forever grateful for the experience I had at Texas State.”
During his time at Texas State, Rivers completed internships, including one with the Austin American-Statesman, which later led to a journalism position with the Rocky Mountain News. While pursuing his passion for journalism, Rivers also demonstrated notable athletic talent. After going undrafted, he signed with the Denver Broncos as a free agent.
Rivers played for the Broncos for six seasons, from 1991 to 1996, winning the Broncos NFL Man of the Year award twice. Raised in a Christian household, Rivers was actively involved in community service, leading to his recognition as Man of the Year.
“My dad was a pastor of a church, so we were very involved in the community,” Rivers said. “The two years I won the Man of the Year award, I had done over 100 charity events. I wasn’t doing it to be recognized; it was what I believed we should all do to be a part of the community.”
Rivers was also honored as NFL Special Teams Player of the Year. This accolade was well-earned, as Rivers blocked a punt during a crucial game featuring Joe Montana and John Elway, a premier matchup. Rivers’ block led to a touchdown and a victory for the Broncos, marking a significant moment in his NFL career.
“That was the biggest play of my life,” Rivers said. “I’ve never made a play like that that impacted the game in such a way. That’s one of my iconic memories I’ll never forget.”
Throughout his NFL career, Rivers continued his writing and journalism work, contributing a sports column to the Rocky Mountain News for eight and a half years.
In his second year in the NFL, Rivers pursued a career in radio and television with KOA Radio and KHOW Radio, as well as all three major stations in Denver. Recognizing the limited duration of an NFL career, he was motivated to pursue other interests, particularly in journalism.
“I just kept pursuing journalism,” Rivers said. “Every day I thought I was going to get cut from the NFL. Fortunately, I made it for six years as a player.”
Post-NFL, leveraging his writing experience, Rivers transitioned to broadcasting. He worked as a weekend sports anchor for KCNC-TV, contributed as a color commentator for ABC Sports College Football, and wrote for Pro Football Weekly.
Rivers zeal for journalism enabled him the opportunity to pursue journalism in various forms. When transitioning to television, he had to adapt to conveying
messages clearly and efficiently on live TV, learning from figures such as Vic Lombardi.
Rivers hosted a talk show on KHOW from 1997 to 2002 and developed a successful public speaking career, built on experience gained during his time with the Broncos and his early public speaking at church and schools.
Growing up with a father who was a Baptist preacher, Rivers began his public speaking career by giving announcements at church. At Texas State, he spoke at local public schools about his love for reading and writing. In Denver, he continued to seek public speaking opportunities through the Broncos.
“I spoke at a bunch of corporate events the Broncos hosted,” Rivers said. “After my career, I was able to leverage that and become a corporate motivational speaker.”
In addition to his varied career, Rivers has authored five books, including The Vance, a biography of teammate Vance Johnson; Power Shift, a novel about a sports reporter-player feud; Fourth and Fixed, a story of a crime family’s influence on NFL games; and My Wife’s Boyfriend and Our Feud with the Highland Ranch Homeowners Association, a satire on marriage and HOA disputes. Rivers earned a master’s degree in international studies, with his thesis evolving into the novel The Colony: A Political Tale, exploring the influence of wealthy countries on weaker nations. Fourth and Fixed has been republished as Rookies and Bookies.
Currently, Rivers is the president of the Gala Team, a company focused on optimizing charity events. Since its founding in 2013, the company has expanded from 13 to 175 events and grown its staff to 23. Rivers aims to organize 500 events annually.
“We help charities raise money through fundraising, consulting, and auctioneering,” Rivers said. “It feels like the most enriching thing I have ever done in my life.”
From his time at Texas State to a career in the NFL, Rivers balanced his dual interests for football and journalism, setting the stage for success in broadcasting and entrepreneurship. His story exemplifies how Texas State University prepares its students for life’s adventures.
