Rivers retires after 17 seasons
INDIANAPOLIS — When Philip Rivers first started tossing footballs as a high school ball boy in Alabama, he heaved them any way he could. The throwing motion stuck — and success soon followed.
Rivers used that strange, shot put-like style to land a scholarship at North Carolina State, 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 Indianapolis Colts quarterback announced his retirement.
“Thank you God for allowing me to live out my childhood dream of playing quarterback in the NFL,” Rivers said in a statement posted on the team’s website. “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 talking trash without cussing, Rivers carved out his own niche in the NFL.
After being selected fourth overall in the 2004 draft, he was immediately traded from the New York Giants to the San Diego Chargers for Eli Manning. Rivers spent the next two seasons backing up Drew Brees in San Diego before taking over as the starter when Brees left in free agency.
Rivers made his starting debut in the 2006 opener, then started the next 251 games in a row including the playoffs. His 240 consecutive regular-season starts was the second-longest streak since 1970, trailing only Brett Favre (297).
He also won 134 career games — No. 2 among quarterbacks without a Super Bowl ring and eighth all-time — and finished his career ranked fifth in career completions (5,277), passing yards (63,440) and touchdown passes (421).
Reid gives update on QB
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes remained in the NFL’s concussion protocol Wednesday, but the reigning Super Bowl MVP practiced in a limited capacity, raising hopes he can play in Sunday’s AFC title game against the visiting Buffalo Bills.
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.
There are five steps in the league’s return-to-play protocol. Reid didn’t specify which step Mahomes was in Wednesday, but the work he described coincides with the fourth step, and that could mean he is cleared to participate more fully in practice today or Friday.
Lions announce coach
The Detroit Lions landed the coach they coveted from the start of their search by hiring Dan Campbell.
The Lions tweeted a photo of the former New Orleans Saints tight ends coach signing his deal Wednesday, one day after the franchise formally introduced Brad Holmes as its general manager. Campbell signed a six-year contract, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because terms of the deal were not released.
The 44-year-old Campbell, who also had the title of assistant head coach with the Saints, has 11 years of experience in the NFL as a coach — he was 5-7 as interim head coach of the Dolphins in 2015 — and 11 as a player. Campbell, a tight end for the Lions from 2006 to 2008, is the first former player to lead the franchise since Joe Schmidt (1967-72).