After 17 seasons in the NFL, veteran quarterback Philip Rivers announced his retirement on Wednesday. Rivers had spent the bulk of his career with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, but his final year saw him in Indianapolis, leading the Colts to a playoff berth.
Rivers released a statement announcing the decision that is worth your time:
Philip Rivers’ statement to ESPN is dadgum tremendous: pic.twitter.com/30KaEFGy0X
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 20, 2021
As Rivers embarks on the next chapter of his career, a bit of personal reflection. He mentions the AFC Championship Game that he played without an ACL, on a cold day in Foxborough against the New England Patriots. That remains to me one of the more impressive personal efforts I have seen on a football field, Rivers gutting out an afternoon against an unbeaten team, trying to will the Chargers to victory:
the legend Philip Rivers tore his ACL & meniscus and six days later nearly beat the 16-0 Patriots in the AFC Championship game pic.twitter.com/JlyvdcLDiF
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) July 29, 2020
I do not have a Hall of Fame vote, but if I did, this would be an easy one. Here’s hoping that “Rivers RV” makes its next stop in Canton.