Former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers only spent one season with the team so it makes sense that he will be retiring as a member of the Los Angeles Chargers, the team he initially led for 16 seasons.
As an exclusive on The HardwickLIFE Podcast on the Bleav Podcast Network, Rivers discussed his decision to retire after 17 seasons in the league. Though many believed he had at least one more season in him, Rivers felt it was time to hang it up.
“I can walk away being able to play. I felt like heck yeah we can play and we can play well,” said Rives on the podcast. “I didn’t know that that would feel like that but I’m looking at it going ‘this feels right’. Don’t wait till you can’t possibly play, when I can’t do it anymore, saying ‘hey you need to get out.”
Rarely do players in the NFL go out on their own terms. They often say they want to leave the game before they are essentially forced to but so many players don’t get that choice. Rivers did and wound up sticking to that notion.
Having spent 16 seasons with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, the team and city has a special place in his heart.
“I’m looking forward to retiring a Charger when the time is right so that will come when the new league year comes,” Rivers said. “That time will come sometime in March.”
Rivers enjoyed one of the best final seasons for a quarterback in the history of the league. He completed 68% of his passed for 4,169 yards, 24 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a 97.0 passer rating.
It was a memorable season seeing Rivers help lead the Colts to a playoff berth and nearly pulling off an upset, but it wouldn’t be right unless he retired with the Chargers.
[listicle id=55773]