QB Rivers retires after
Keeping an eye on the world of sports during the pandemic:
Longtime NFL quarterback Philip Rivers has decided to retire after playing one year for the Colts.
“Thank you God for allowing meto live out my childhood dream of playing quarterback in the NFL,” Rivers said Wednesday in a statement on the Colts website. “I am grateful to the Chargers for 16 seasons, and the Colts for the 17th season.”
Rivers’ decision comes less than two weeks after the Colts lost 27-24 to the Bills in a wildcard game.
Rivers, 39, spent his first 16 seasons with the Chargers after being acquired in a draft-day trade that sent the top overall pick, Eli Manning, to the Giants in 2004.
Rivers spent his first two years with the Chargers backing up Drew Brees before taking over as the starter when Brees left for the Saints in free agency.
Over the next 15 years, Rivers never missed another game, starting all 252 including the playoffs. He won 134 career games — No. 2 among QBs without a Super Bowl ring — and is eighth all-time.
Rivers also finished his career ranked fifth in completions (5,277), passing yards (63,440) and touchdown passes (421).
And he didn’t slow down in 2020.
Through the Colts’ first five games, Rivers threw five interceptions and four TD passes. Over the final 12, he had 22 TD passes and six picks. His completion percentage (68%) was the second highest of his career and he led the Colts to an 11-5 mark and their second playoff appearance since 2015.
Rivers was selected to eight Pro Bowls and holds the Chargers’ franchise records in every major passing category.
“He looked good. He’s in the protocol so there’s only certain things he can do, but he took all the snaps and he feels good.”
— Chiefs coach Andy Reid on QB Patrick Mahomes, who practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, three days after suffering a concussion in the team’s win over the Browns. Mahomes’ status for Sunday’s AFC title game against the Bills remains up in the air.