Daily Times (Primos, PA)

Colts QB Rivers, 39, retires from NFL after 17 seasons

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INDIANAPOL­IS » When Philip Rivers first started tossing footballs as a high-school ball boy, he heaved them any way he could. The throwing motion stuck — and success followed.

Rivers used that strange, shot put-like style to land a college scholarshi­p, become a first-round draft pick and eventually string together one of the greatest 17-year careers in NFL history. On Wednesday, the 39-year-old Colts quarterbac­k announced his retirement.

“Every year, Jan. 20 is a special and emotional day,” Rivers said in a statement posted on the team’s website. “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. I am grateful to the Chargers for 16 seasons, and the Colts for the 17th season.”

Between his trademark throwing style and his penchant for trash-talking without cussing, he carved out his own niche in the NFL. There’s no doubt Rivers could sling it. After being selected fourth in the 2004 draft, he was traded from the Giants to the Chargers for Eli Manning. Rivers spent the next two seasons backing up Drew Brees before taking over when Brees left in free agency.

Rivers won 134 career games — No. 2 among QBs without a Super Bowl ring — and was eighth all-time. He finished his career ranked fifth in career completion­s (5,277), yards passing (63,440) and touchdown passes (421), and as the Chargers’ franchise recordhold­er in every major passing category.

Mahomes practices, still in protocol

KANSAS CITY, MO. » Chiefs quarterbac­k Patrick Mahomes remained in the NFL’s concussion protocol, but practiced in a limited capacity, raising hopes the reigning Super Bowl MVP can play in Sunday’s AFC title game.

The Chiefs typically breeze through their midweek practice with little contact before ramping things up with their longest workout Thursday, and coach Andy Reid said afterward that fit perfectly with what Mahomes

was able to do.

“He looked good,” Reid said.

Source: New Lions coach Campbell getting 6-year deal

The Detroit Lions have landed the coach they coveted from the start of their search, agreeing to terms with Dan Campbell.

The Lions announced the agreement with the Saints tight ends coach, one day after formally introducin­g Brad Holmes as their general manager. Campbell will sign a sixyear contract, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because terms of the deal were not released.

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