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NFL News: Philip Rivers to Retire After 17 Seasons

The eight-time Pro Bowler is walking away
James Rapien|
NFL News: Philip Rivers to Retire After 17 Seasons
NFL News: Philip Rivers to Retire After 17 Seasons

CINCINNATI — Colts quarterback Philip Rivers is retiring from the NFL after 17 seasons. 

“It’s just time,” Rivers told the San Diego Union-Tribune in an exclusive interview. “A young kid from Northern Alabama who grew up wanting to play pro ball. I got to do it.

“This is the first year I felt like the ending was real. We talked about it other years, but we knew we weren’t doing it. This year felt different. It just seemed right.”

Rivers led the Colts to an 11-5 record this season after signing with Indianapolis following 16 seasons with the Chargers. They lost to the Bills in the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs. 

The Chargers traded for Rivers on draft day in 2004. He was picked by the Giants with the No. 4 overall pick, but a draft day deal sent Eli Manning to New York and Rivers to San Diego. 

“I would have never picked San Diego,” Rivers said. “Not because I didn’t like it. I didn’t know it. I’m thankful. God put us there.”

Rivers was an eight-time Pro Bowler and he was named 2013 PFWA Comeback Player of the Year. 

The 39-year-old threw for 63,440 passing yards (5th all-time) and 421 touchdown passes. Rivers completed 64.9% of his passing attempts and topped the 4,000-yard passing mark 12 times in 17 seasons. 

Rivers led the Colts past the Bengals in Week 5, even though Cincinnati took a 21-0 first quarter lead. Indianapolis won the game 31-27.

Rivers plans to become a high school football coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama. 

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James Rapien
JAMES RAPIEN

James Rapien is the publisher of Bengals OnSI. He's also the host of the Locked on Bengals podcast and Cincinnati Bengals Talk on YouTube. The Cincinnati native also wrote a book about the history of the Cincinnati Bengals called Enter The Jungle. Prior to joining Bengals On SI, Rapien worked at 700 WLW and ESPN 1530 in Cincinnati

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