NFL quarterback Philip Rivers was San Diego’s face for 16 seasons and later the face of the Los Angeles Chargers franchise, and will officially retire as a member of the team.
Rivers made the announcement in a video posted on social media on Monday.
The eight-time NFL Pro Bowl quarterback will rejoin the charger and sign a one-day deal to officially ride the sunset as a franchise legend.
Rivers was one of the most infamous draft day transactions in history, being drafted fourth overall by the New York Giants in the 2004 NFL Draft. He was traded to San Diego by the Giants, in exchange for No. 1 overall pick Eli Manning, and became the cornerstone of linebacker Shawne Merriman and other franchises of Kicker Nate Kading’s Charger.
The Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on September 21, 2014, and the then San Diego Chargers Philip Rivers discuss the huddle later in the huddle. (Getty Images)
However, it was Rivers who rewrites the charger’s record book, earning all the notable passing records for the team that once revolutionised the powerful passing attack.
His 397 touchdowns, 59,271 passing yards and 4,908 completions top the franchise’s all-time record list, he is the team’s best leader of all time, playing and winning as quarterback.
In 16 seasons as a member of the Chargers, Rivers led the team to a 134-106 regular season record and six playoff appearances, causing serious injuries in the postseason.
The river has its roots in San Diego and advocated the rights of the team to stay in the city where he became his adopted home. After the team decided to uproot and move to LA, Rivers continued to live primarily in San Diego, often traveling between the two cities for the game.
“What I miss is what I am most grateful for and appreciated is those relationships, those behind the scenes,” Rivers said in his retirement announcement. “The day at [San Diego practice facility] Murphy Canyon on the training field. You miss those moments. ”
Members at the time. The Lewis Rams are on the sidelines during an NFL game at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on November 23, 2014, when their national anthem with the San Diego Chargers stood on the sidelines. (Getty Images)
“Imagine running down that hill at Qualcomm [Stadium]”The visibly emotional river states in the video. They are fired today.” And when you look at the flag, and see the smoke from the grill, or the things that have not grown old, you don’t know that you’ve never been old. ”
He never won a postseason success for Manning and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. However, he is a nightmare figure of the Chargers franchise’s beloved figure, NFC West’s opponent, and remains a famous one-off mercenary for the Indianapolis Colts, where he played his last game.
He thanked many offensive linemen over the years, putting him upright and surprised him with videos, including Nick Hardwick, Chris Dealman, Jeremy Clary, Marcus McNeill and Mike Goff.
He also thanked Chargers owner Dean Spanos and his family for “believing in small town kids and from North Alabama via Raleigh and North Carolina.”
“Retirement as a charger means the world for us as an organization. We are very grateful,” said John Spanos, president of the team’s soccer business.
Considered a borderline participant for the NFL Hall of Fame, Rivers approaches the first year of hall eligibility next season.
Regardless of what happens in the next phase of his NFL story, Rivers said his charger tenure and legacy will remain with him forever.
“I didn’t take it for granted,” he said.
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