Philip Rivers Retiring from NFL

Indianapolis Colts veteran quarterback Philip Rivers is retiring from the National Football League, bringing his 17-year career to a close, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen.

Rivers, 39, told Schefter and Mortensen in a statement that playing quarterback in the NFL was his “childhood dream.” Rivers spent 16 of his 17 years in the NFL playing for the Los Angeles Chargers, and retires  fifth in NFL history with 63,440 passing yards, behind only New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, and Hall of Famers Peyton Manning and Brett Favre.

Rivers said that he wanted to announce his retirement on January 20th which is the Roman Catholic Church’s feast day for St. Sebastian and also considered to be the patron saint for athletes.

“Every year, January 20th is a special and emotional day,” Rivers said. “It is St. Sebastian’s Feast day, the day I 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. Thank you God for allowing me to live out my childhood dream of playing quarterback in the NFL.”

Rivers played one season with the Colts, throwing for 4,169 yards and 24 TDs this past season and leading the Colts to an 11-5 record. The Colts lost in the Wild Card round to the Buffalo Bills.

“I can sit here and say, ‘I can still throw it. I love to play,'” Rivers said when initially revealing his decision, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. “But that’s always going to be there. I’m excited to go coach high school football.”

“I am grateful to the Chargers for 16 seasons, and the Colts for the 17th season,” Rivers said in his statement. “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.”