The game between the Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks on December 14 is halfway through when 44-year-old Philip Rivers does what all of sports-loving America hoped for. Quarterback Rivers receives the ball on behalf of the Colts, throws it to the free running Josh Downs, who then uses the ball to end zone in rent. “Philip Rivers with a touchdown pass!”, shouts the CBS commentator. His first after a retirement of more than five years.
“A glorious return,” writes FOX the day after the match. “The most unprecedented, almost unbelievable return from retirement in NFL history,” said ESPN about Rivers’ return to the National Football League. CNN: “One of the most unlikely comebacks in sports history”.
Rivers’ return to the NFL may be the biggest at the end of the year feel goodstory in American sports in 2025. A 44-year-old, immensely popular former NFL player, father of ten children – and even grandfather – who returns from retirement after more than 1,800 days in anonymity to show what he can do one more time. Not out of ego trip, but because his former coach needs him.
Dadgummit, let’s freaking go
Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen was left reeling in early December when his quarterback Daniel Jones tore his Achilles tendon. The two backup quarterbacks were also already injured. Steichen quickly needed a playmaker to still reach the play-offs.
American media expected Steichen to pluck a backup quarterback from another NFL team. But he called Rivers. Did he want to show his skills to the football crowd one more time?
Rivers had to sleep on it. He spoke at length with friends and his wife Tiffany, and called back the next morning: “Dadgummit, let’s freaking go!”.
Successful quarterback
The Alabama-born Rivers began his professional career in 2004 with the San Diego Chargers, where he would remain until 2019 – the last three years under the name Los Angeles Chargers. In his seventeen years as a professional player, Rivers threw more than 63,000 passing yards (7th place of all time) and 421 passing touchdowns (place 6). He ended his career in 2020 with the Indianapolis Colts – or so it seemed.
Rivers never played in a Super Bowl, the championship final, but is nevertheless considered one of the best quarterbacks of his generation. Americans also appreciated him for his boundless fanaticism, which regularly erupted trash talk towards opponents and referees – although the deeply religious Rivers never cursed. “One time I thought he used the f-word,” said former teammate Shawn Merriman in 2019. “But I think it was ‘mother fudge‘ or something like that.”
In the American fairy tale story of ideal son-in-law Rivers, his wife and ten children play a prominent role. Because how great is Rivers’ dedication to the sport, if despite his attention to that gigantic family, he also returns to the NFL? In the game against the Seahawks, his family came into view laughing and waving after almost every action Rivers made.
Until early December, Rivers coached the St. Michael Catholic Cardinals, the high school team of son Gunner. But then Steichen called. “I had no hope that I would ever play again,” he said with twinkling eyes during a press conference. “But when a door opens, you can either walk through it or run away from it. The only way to know if I can still do it is to try.”
The fairy tale will not end on a completely cloying note. Although in the games against the Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers, Rivers totaled three TD passes gave and analysts were unanimous that Rivers – although he had arrived – could still do it, the Colts lost both games. This makes the Super Bowl unfeasible. Teammates put on the sackcloth. “We let him down,” said Colts player DeForest Buckner. “He played great, but we didn’t give up.”
As suddenly as football fans were captivated by Rivers’ return, the hype will probably die down just as quickly. Rivers will soon return as his son’s coach. Yet he has no regrets: “I came to win, but maybe this will inspire people not to be afraid.”
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