The last time Philip Rivers walked on an NFL field, his 27 completions for 309 yards and two touchdowns were just not enough to lead the Indianapolis Colts to an AFC Wild Card win over the Buffalo Bills.
Four years, eleven months and six days since that game, Rivers made his stunning return to the NFL at the age of 44.
An emotional Rivers teared up at the podium after his return game – an 18-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
‘Maybe it will inspire or teach not to run or be scared of what may or may not happen,’ Rivers told the media.
The Chargers icon was called into action after coaching at a Catholic high school in Alabama. But injury to starter Daniel Jones resulted in Rivers getting the call from the Colts.
‘Certainly I think of my sons and those ballplayers I’m in charge of at the school that they’ll say like, “Crap, coach wasn’t scared,” you know what i mean?’ he added.
After nearly five years away from an NFL field, Philip Rivers made his return for the Colts
An emotional Rivers, 44, teared up while discussing his comeback to the league
Rivers continued, through tears: ‘Sometimes there is doubt, and it’s real. Again, the guaranteed safe bet is to go home or not go for it. And the other one is shoot, let’s see what happens.
‘I hope that in that sense that it can be a positive to some young boys – or young people, it doesn’t have to be boys – but again that’s not the motivation.’
Rivers’ return game saw him complete 18-of-27 passes for 120 yards and one touchdown along with an interception.
Video of students at the school Rivers coaches at reacting to his touchdown pass went viral for their celebration of his accomplishment.
While it wasn’t a victory, there was still plenty of praise for the attempt from Rivers for his brave actions.
Former Colts punter Pat McAfee posted a video with his thoughts which was captioned, ‘Grandpa Rivers and The Colts lose to [kicker Jason Myers] and the Seahawks.. BUT THE COLTS AREN’T DEAD PHIL’S GOT ‘EM PLAYIN’.
‘That was an impressive first game back for Phillip [sic] Rivers,’ said NBC Sports commentator and former NFL quarterback Chris Simms.
Former NFL executive and player Louis Riddick posted, ‘5 years off 5 f’ing years. 44 yrs old. And dealing on one of the best defenses in the NFL in one of the toughest venues to play when on the road. So far. So good.’
Rivers completed 18-of-27 passes for 120 yards and one touchdown along with an interception
The Colts have a tough road to make the playoffs with a gauntlet of tough teams ahead
‘Great effort by Phillip [sic] Rivers he gave them a chance to win,’ posted former NFL safety and ESPN pundit Ryan Clark. ‘5 year lay off, 3 days of practice… that’s dang impressive. I didn’t think he’d still be standing against this attacking Seattle defense.’
NFL writer Sam Farmer posted, ‘This feels like the end of Rocky, where the guy doesn’t win but wins.’
Currently, the Colts have a 17 percent chance to make the playoffs, according to NFL.com.
Indianapolis may have the toughest final three games of any team on the bubble at the moment.
They take on the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football next week before concluding the regular season against two AFC South rivals ahead of them in the playoff picture: the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans.