1/21/21

Jay C. Brandriet

After 17 seasons, Philip Rivers said goodbye to pro football yesterday. He leaves the sport a memorable character with plenty of accomplishments.

Philip had competitive grit. He talked a lot of trash.

Gary Payton’s fire, with Mister Rogers vocabulary.

He was never celebrated for being an iron man.

Only TWO players in the history of the NFL, started more consecutive games than Rivers.

He had a unique throwing style, and boy he threw it!

He retires fifth all time in touchdown passes (421), yards (63,440), and completions (5,277).

How about 12, 4, 000 yard passing efforts over a 13 year span?

He never played in a Super Bowl.

He did play in an AFC championship game with a torn ACL.

He was 5-7 as a starter in the playoffs.

His 134 regular season wins are the eighth most ever among quarterbacks.

Rivers was never one of the top three QB’s in the league.

In an era with many advanced passers, Philip usually seemed to rank between about fourth to ninth best.

The eight Pro Bowl selections shine brightly on his resume.

Is Philip Rivers a Hall of Famer?

He’s not a first ballot priority, but the answer is yes.

If you do enough “B +” things over the long haul, some “A +” things might happen for you.

Ask Frank Gore. He kept grinding. He’s now in the 16,000 yard club with Walter Payton and Emmitt Smith.

Philip and Frank will both have busts in Canton, Ohio.

Rivers is a Chargers legend, and likely one of the 35 greatest quarterbacks of all time.

Jay C. Brandriet