NFL world pays its respects to Philip Rivers, who is retiring after 17 seasons
Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers announced his retirement on Wednesday morning, 13 years to the day after he famously played in the AFC championship game on a torn ACL.
Known for his toughness, his kindness and his superior trash talk, he made an impact on many people during his 17 years in the NFL. After Rivers announced his retirement, which he did through San Diego Union-Tribune sportswriter Kevin Acee, tributes began pouring in on social media.
I’ll never forget lining up for a play and Phil pointing to one of our linebackers and telling him he was lined up wrong based off the blitz we were about to run and being 100% correct about it haha.
One of the smartest I’ve ever played against and a hell of a competitor. https://t.co/1AZxyvDafu— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 20, 2021
Philip, what a career! An amazing competitor, winner & family man. It’s been fun to compete against u & watch u do your thing for so many years.
I know countless kids have been inspired by u & will benefit from your coaching & football knowledge in the future. God bless! — Ben. pic.twitter.com/KsZ7L5TjaR— BigBen7.com (@_BigBen7) January 20, 2021
Congrats to Philip on an outstanding career. It was fun to watch my fellow Qb from 2004 draft class compete these past 17 years. Enjoy the next phase. https://t.co/RIYici7ZPN
— Eli Manning (@EliManning) January 20, 2021
Best trash talker ever!! Congrats on a amazing career💪🏾✊🏽 https://t.co/znJGNuigH1
— Darius Slay (@bigplay24slay) January 20, 2021
A great final chapter to a dadgum incredible career. 🤠 pic.twitter.com/WxTqesXmhL
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) January 20, 2021
Unsolicited text from Broncos’ CEO and President Joe Ellis on Philip Rivers: “One of the greatest competitors ever to take the field against the Broncos. There are a handful of players I will always remember with great admiration. Rivers is one of them.” https://t.co/SH1XLGLgcd
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 20, 2021
A small thing to most but huge to me:
Philip Rivers gave this story to one person: Kevin Acee, longtime columnist from the San Diego Union-Tribune. He'd covered Rivers for years and they were close. Rivers is loyal, man. To people he trusts, his teammates, and to San Diego.— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) January 20, 2021
Former #Chargers QB Philip Rivers announces his retirement from the NFL. He will be missed. His “dagummit” and his “shoot.” Also the passion he played with and his love of the game. It was awesome tocover him for five seasons. Here was the last thing he said after his final game. pic.twitter.com/VP4wGJLqgZ
— Fernando Ramirez (@RealFRamirez) January 20, 2021
This video, after his final game with the @Chargers, speaks to why Philip Rivers was loved by so many coaches, teammates + fans: pic.twitter.com/FFscNF3w1C
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) January 20, 2021
While some tributes were personal and touching, others focused on one of the most recognizable parts of Rivers’ game: his trash talk.
Though his NFL career is over, Philip Rivers will forever be our mic’d up king.
(🎥: @sportingnews)pic.twitter.com/ZsMv34tT79— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 20, 2021
We're really going to miss Philip Rivers and his smack talking 😂 pic.twitter.com/VZkGK42WHQ
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) January 20, 2021
This is classic Philip Rivers: Berating Gregg Williams while up by almost 4 TD late in the 4th quarter pic.twitter.com/lcXhLp2jdX
— Pick Six Podcast (@picksixpod) January 20, 2021
Always opinionated, never boring, with a love of football he'll carry with him as a coach.
Congrats on a great career Philip Rivers! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/htzAzFIk5C— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) January 20, 2021
Philip Rivers is a legend 😂
(via @NFLFilms) pic.twitter.com/g1HUZU2vXS— The MMQB (@theMMQB) January 20, 2021
In honor of Philip Rivers retiring, here's Derek Wolfe explaining how he got Phil to never talk smack to him again: #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/V5meRmtUBp
— Ryan Greene 📷 (@RyanCBS4) January 20, 2021
Rivers isn’t leaving football behind entirely. He’s going to be the football coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama. Watching this video of Rivers talking to the N.C. State football team, it’s clear he’s going to be a great coach.
Not sure any person has ever had more passion about football than Philip Rivers. pic.twitter.com/DSxPKB0S6D
— Cory Smith (@RCorySmith) January 20, 2021
Rivers has a lot of experience and skills to pass on to young players, and hopefully he’ll make some time to teach them the fine art of Rivers-ian Trash Talk, too.
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