Colts QB Rivers, 39, retires after 17 seasons

INDIANAPOLIS -- Longtime NFL quarterback Philip Rivers has decided to retire after playing one year in Indianapolis.

"Every year, January 20th is a special and emotional day. 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," Rivers said in a statement. "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."

While Rivers, 39, never played in a Super Bowl, it was one of the few glaring omissions on a remarkable resume.

Rivers spent his first two years in San Diego backing up Drew Brees before taking over as the starter when Brees left in free agency.