It’s not often that a 44-year-old player signs with the NFL, but for Philip Rivers, who left the game five years ago, the excitement within his family is palpable.
This week, the Indianapolis Colts made an unexpected decision by contacting their former quarterback, who had thought the 2020 season was his last in the NFL. Due to multiple injuries affecting key players, they opted to bring Rivers back onto the practice squad as a precaution.
With Daniel Jones out due to a torn Achilles and backup Riley Leonard dealing with a knee issue, the Colts felt a bit thin on the quarterback front. So, when they reached out to Rivers to gauge his interest in returning, he reportedly replied with enthusiasm: “Dagmit, let’s go!”
Rivers expressed his happiness about rejoining the team and having his family around, particularly his young son.
“They were very supportive,” Rivers mentioned, as reported by the media. “I think my younger kids are the most thrilled. I shouldn’t say ‘the most,’ but definitely excited since they don’t recall me playing. In fact, my 6-year-old asked a few months back, ‘Dad, aren’t you going to play anymore?’ I had to tell him that coaching was the best he’d get from me.”
“My boys are definitely motivated,” Rivers continued. “They have mixed emotions—some excitement but also a bit of nervousness, like, ‘Dad, do you think you can do it?’ And my older daughters are somewhat confused but excited at the same time. It’s wild; they were just kids, and now they’re adults.”
Rivers will have an entire week to demonstrate his capabilities during practice, giving the coaching staff ample opportunity to decide on his role moving forward.
A father of over 10 children, with his 10th child with wife Tiffany expected to arrive in 2023, Rivers initially joined the San Diego Chargers in 2004, playing with them until 2019. He then spent one season with the Colts before retiring in January 2021. He is an eight-time Pro Bowler, having led in passing yards in 2010 and been named NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2013.
Now at 44, he’s become one of the oldest players to ever sign with an NFL team, joining a select group of about 20 players who have signed contracts in their 40s.
