Former NFL star quarterback Philip Rivers has announced his retirement from football as a Charger.
Rivers, 43, spent all but one of his 17 seasons with the franchise, which he leads in virtually every passing category.
He played one season for the Colts in 2020, which was the last time he suited up in the NFL.
And while Rivers was already assumed by many to be done playing, he made things official on Monday as he re-joined the Chargers to provide an emotional update.
‘It’s really, in the past handful of years, been my desire [to retire] as a Charger. It was more so the timing,’ Rivers told the team’s website.
‘Gratitude is the first thing that comes to mind. Just thankful. Thankful for my time there as a Charger.’
Philip Rivers got emotional as he announced his retirement as a Charger in a new video
Rivers is considered a franchise legend for the Chargers, where he spent 16 seasons
The quarterback gave a heartwarming video interview to the team, who wove his sit-down with highlights from his memorable career.
‘There were so many highlights and fun Sundays,’ Rivers added in the tribute video. ‘So many. But what I miss and what I’m most appreciative and thankful for are those relationships.’
Namely, the Alabama native was close with his offensive lineman, and he was surprised during the video by his former protectors Nick Hardwick, Kris Dielman, Marcus McNeill and Jeromey Clary.
Rivers got emotional as his former teammates surprised him in his home, hugging each one before taking a FaceTime from Chargers president John Spanos.
Spanos told Chargers.com: ‘He and I have had discussions over the last several years, ever since his first year when he wasn’t playing. We had a really good conversation and there was a lot of gratitude expressed back and forth, from me personally and on the team’s behalf for everything he’s meant to us and all our fans as well as from him for what the Chargers mean to him.
‘He made it known back then he wanted to retire a Charger, and I obviously expressed that we would love that to happen as soon as he was ready,’ Spanos continued.
Rivers is known for his large family, which now includes 10 children with his wife, Tiffany
Rivers is sixth all-time in the NFL in both passing yards and passing touchdowns
‘I think we both knew this day was coming for a few years now, but the key thing that I expressed to Philip was that I wanted the timing to be something he was good with. He had to be ready to close that door.’
Rivers was routinely considered one of the league’s best quarterbacks during his career, and made eight Pro Bowls while playing for the Chargers.
He’s remembered by fans for the high-powered offense he formed with running back LaDainian Tomlinson, and for his spirited trash-talking during his career.
Rivers’ large family with his wife, Tiffany, has also become a point of fascination among NFL fans as the couple shares 10 children together.
The couple shares kids Halle, Caroline, Grace, Gunner, Sarah, Peter, Rebecca, Clare, Anna and the youngest, Andrew, who was born in October 2023.
Rivers posted a 5-7 record in the playoffs (the furthest he made it was the AFC Championship), and will retire from the NFL with over $243million in earnings, per Spotrac.
