Veteran QB Philip Rivers retires after 17 NFL seasons
CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 22: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers looks on from the sidelines in the fourth quarter of the game against the Oakland Raiders at Dignity Health Sports Park on December 22, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Philip Rivers announced today that he will be retiring after 17 NFL seasons.
Rivers spent 16 years of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers and finished off his last season with the Indianapolis Colts.
Rivers said in his statement that “playing Quarterback in the NFL was one of his childhood dreams.” Rivers then began to reflect on the significance that Jan. 20 has had on his life.
“Every year, January 20 is a special and emotional day. It is St. Sebastian’s Feast day, the day I played played in the AFC championship without an ACL, and now the day that after 17 seasons, I’m announcing my retirement from the National Football League.”
The AFC championship game in which Rivers played through a torn ACL is one that NFL fans will never forget. Although the Chargers lost to the New England Patriots 21-12, Philip put up an impressive stat line for playing on one knee. 19-37 passes for 211 yards, 0 TDs, and 2 Interceptions.
Rivers has arguably one of the most prolific QB careers anyone who plays the position can ask for. Rivers may not have won a Super Bowl, but his stats are among legends.
Philip finished his career with a 64.9% completion rate, 63440 yards, average of 7.8 yards per throw, 421 TDs, 209 interceptions and multiple playoff appearances.
Rivers finished his retirement statement by thanking all individuals involved in his NFL career:
“Thank you to all my coaches that helped me grow as a player and person.
Thanks to the support staff.
I appreciate the opposing defenses making it challenging physically and mentally every week… I also enjoyed the banter.
I appreciate the referees for putting up with all my fussing. I think I was right most of the time dadgummit!
Thanks to the fans in San Diego and around the nation that both cheered and booed.
Special thanks to my teammates. Without a doubt my favorite part of the game, being a teammate. Thank you for being mine.
Lastly, thank you to my wife and best friend Tiffany, and our children Halle, Caroline, Grace, Gunner, Sarah, Peter, Rebecca, Clare, and Anna. Could not have done it without y’all’s unwavering support.
As my playing career comes to an end , the next chapter begins.”
I can speak for all, Chargers/Colts fans or not, Philip was amazing to watch and left fans with many memories. Enjoy your retirement 17, thank you for everything.
Featured image from 2019 Getty Images.
