Philip Rivers, ‘thankful to God,’ embraces movie-like comeback

Indianapolis quarterback Philip Rivers realizes the last few days of his life have the makings of a Hollywood film: an ex-football player returns from retirement five years after his final snap, not just to compete in the trenches but to start – and to play quite well.

For now, though, the 44-year-old Rivers is only concerned about winning – and if possible, to help his team advance to the playoffs. 

“This isn’t about me,” he told reporters Sunday after his Colts lost a tough road contest to Seattle, which kicked a last-second field goal for an 18-16 win.

Just two weeks ago, Rivers was enjoying retirement – a father of 10 with his wife, Tiffany, and the head football coach and offensive coordinator at St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama. 

But then the Colts lost their starting quarterback, Daniel Jones, to a season-ending injury. And then Indianapolis coach Shane Steichen – a long-time friend – phoned Rivers, asking him to consider coming out of retirement to head the offense for the final month of the regular season. 

The Colts are 8-6 and desperately in need of victories to make the playoffs. 

A 17-year veteran, Rivers is an eight-time Pro Bowl player but hadn’t suited up since 2020, when he played one year with the Colts following a lengthy career with the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers. 

Rivers may be slower than he once was but more than held his own Sunday, completing 18 of 27 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown, while helping the Colts build a 13-3 lead. 

A man of strong faith, Rivers repeatedly used words such as “grateful” in a crowded post-game news conference while adding that his sole focus is winning – even if he does realize his comeback story will impact men and women of all ages. 

He practiced with the team only three days prior to his first game – and admitted he did have doubts after talking with Steichen on the phone. 

“That certainly was the sentiment on Monday and Tuesday [prior to the first game back], but then I really have been thankful to God that I haven’t had those doubts really creep back in my mind,” he said. “I’ve been very much at peace.” 

The Colts close the season with San Francisco (10-4), Jacksonville (10-4) and Houston (9-5) – three teams also eying the playoffs. 

Rivers believes the offense will improve with practice but also acknowledged time is not on the team’s side. 

“It doesn’t really matter if it’s getting better if we don’t win, because it’s going to be over in three weeks,” he said, referencing the regular season schedule. 

Contrary to conventional wisdom, Rivers even said he enjoyed the physical toll of the game. 

“My wife always tells me I’m crazy, because there’s been times in the last three or four years I said, ‘I wish I could just throw one and get hit hard.’ And she’s like, ‘That’s not normal,’” he said, smiling. 

Meanwhile, Rivers said he hopes his story will inspire his high school players – and kids across the country – to “not be scared of what may or may not happen.” It would have been easy, Rivers said, to stay retired. 

“I think of my sons and those ball players that I’m in charge of at the school – that they’ll say, like, ‘Crap, Coach wasn’t scared’ – you know? … Sometimes there is doubt and it’s real. … The guaranteed safe bet is to go home or to not go for it. 

“I hope that it can be a positive to some young boys or young people.”

For now, though, Rivers is focused on his next opponent – and a friendly home crowd at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium.  

“Whatever God’s will is – I’m happy with, but certainly [I’m] going to quickly turn my attention to the 49ers.”