Philip Rivers retires after 17 NFL seasons

There is a great synergy as No. 17 Philip Rivers decided to retire from the NFL after 17 seasons.

The quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts for 2020 and San Diego and Los Angeles Chargers for the first 16 seasons of his career announced the decision to the San Diego Union Tribune late Tuesday.

“I can sit here and say, ‘I can still throw it. I love to play,’” Rivers told the Union-Tribune Tuesday night. “But that’s always going to be there. I’m excited to go coach high school football.”

“Every year, January 20th is a special and emotional day,” Rivers said. “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.”

Rivers threw for 63,440 yards and 421 touchdowns. He signed a one-year deal with the Colts for the 2020 season and led them to the playoffs.

He was not drafted by the Chargers out of North Carolina State, rather was chosen fourth overall by the New York Giants, who subsequently dealt the quarterback to San Diego for Eli Manning, who was taken first overall in 2004 but refused to play for the Bolts.

Rivers, Manning, and Ben Roethlisberger were the three quarterbacks taken in the first 11 picks that year. The other QB to go in the first round was J.P. Losman, who went to Buffalo at 24.

“I am grateful to the Chargers for 16 seasons, and the Colts for the 17th season,” Rivers said in his statement. “Thank you to all my coaches that helped me grow as a player and person. Thanks to the support staff. I appreciate the opposing defenses making it challenging physically and mentally every week. … I also enjoyed the banter. I appreciate the referees for putting up with all my fussing. I think I was right most of the time dadgummit!

“Thanks to the fans in San Diego and around the nation that both cheered and booed. Special thanks to my teammates. Without a doubt my favorite part of the game, being a teammate. Thank you for being mine.

“Lastly, thank you to my wife and best friend Tiffany, and our children Halle, Caroline, Grace, Gunner, Sarah, Peter, Rebecca, Clare, and Anna. Could not have done it without y’all’s unwavering support.

“As my playing career comes to an end, the next chapter begins.”