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Philip Rivers’ high school team’s reaction to coach’s Colts touchdown is amazing

The 44-year-old didn’t get the win over the Seahawks in his return to the NFL, but he certainly won the day at St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama.
Matt Ryan|
Dec 14, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) walks to the locker room following the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.
Dec 14, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) walks to the locker room following the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. | Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

Philip Rivers did it: He played an NFL game at 44 years old, and he almost won it, too. He even threw a touchdown pass that had the high school football team he coaches in Alabama going crazy.

The quarterback came out of retirement after nearly five years away from the game after the Indianapolis Colts starter Daniel Jones tore his Achilles and the two backup quarterback’s were also dealing with injuries. After a short look at practices, he was given the keys to the Colts car on Sunday at the Seattle Seahawks.

While Rivers and the Colts fell just short, 18-16, they competed their tails off. Rivers even threw his first TD since January 9, 2021, in a playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills on this play below.

RELATED: Why Philip Rivers' 10 kids might be reason for his Colts return at 44 years old

He hit that celebration, too.

RELATED: Philip Rivers goes nuts for 4-star QB son Gunner's monster game eerily like dad

Speaking of celebrations, Rivers coaches high school football at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, where he just led the team to the state semifinals two weeks ago, and now the players were watching his game and went crazy over his touchdown in an awesome scene.

After the game, coach delivered an emotional speech fighting back tears talking about those high school kids and how he wanted to be an example for them to show them “coach wasn’t scared.”

He finished 18-27 passing, 120 yards, the one touchdown and an interception on his final pass trying to get the team in position to win with just 11 seconds left.

He’ll likely be the starter as the team faces the San Francisco 49ers at home on this Sunday in what will be an amazing welcome for the QB.

The father of 10 kids is proof you can do anything you put your mind to, and that’s worth celebrating.

Philip River
Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

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Matt Ryan
MATT RYAN

Matt Ryan is a dedicated sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in digital and linear media. After receiving a Masters in Journalism from USC, he’s worked for Fox Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo Sports, USA Today Sports Media Group, and Bally Sports, while holding various leadership roles along the way.

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