Quarterback Philip Rivers returns to the NFL at age 44 : NPR

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Ethan Miller/Getty Photographs In July, former quarterback Philip Rivers was requested if he may nonetheless play an NFL sport, throughout an look on The Dan Patrick Present.

"Oh yeah. I am slightly heavier than I used to be, however I may get by way of a sport," Rivers replied, including with amusing. "Now, I might have a wheelchair the subsequent morning."

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However now the sports activities world is absorbing the information that Rivers, a grandfather at age 44, has signed a observe contract with the Indianapolis Colts. The crew not too long ago misplaced its beginning quarterback, Daniel Jones, for the remainder of the season, as a result of damage, endangering its playoff hopes.

Listed below are some key numbers that present some context into Rivers' return:

21: Years since Rivers' first season.

"I imply, that is fairly ridiculous to suppose," says Seth Wickersham, a senior author at ESPN. However Wickersham additionally says the concept of Rivers returning is not as wild because it sounds.

Rivers does not have the velocity of youthful athletes, however that was by no means a part of his sport. However what Rivers does have, Wickersham says, is a really explicit set of expertise.

"In opposition to, you realize, all logic, sanity and cause, the NFL has type of change into an outdated man's sport for quarterbacks."

For one factor, veterans like Rivers have confirmed they will shortly perceive sport conditions. And right this moment's quarterbacks do not get hit as a lot, in the event that they keep within the pocket reasonably than scramble round. This season, related circumstances allowed one other 40-something quarterback, Joe Flacco, to return to the NFL to assist the Cincinnati Bengals after Joe Burrow was injured.

10: Youngsters in Philip and Tiffany Rivers' household. On Wednesday, Rivers mentioned they're thrilled, nervous and a bit shocked in regards to the concept of him taking part in within the NFL once more.

"My 6-year-old really requested me like 4 months in the past, like, 'Dad, why do not you play anymore?' " Rivers mentioned in a information convention. "And I am like, 'Hey, I am sorry. One of the best you are gonna get is me teaching on the sideline.' "

8: Professional Bowl appearances for Rivers, who maintained elite stats whereas spending most of his profession with the Chargers, from 2004 till 2019. (The crew moved from San Diego to Los Angeles in 2017.)

5: Years of a ready earlier than a Corridor of Fame induction. Along with his robust résumé, Rivers "was at all times going to get in on what's known as the primary poll, which is the primary 12 months that he is eligible," Wickersham says. If Rivers joins the lively roster, his Corridor of Fame candidacy would reset.

0: Variety of playoff appearances by the Colts since Rivers spent the 2020 season with the crew following the shock retirement of Andrew Luck. Indianapolis reached the playoffs with Rivers, however misplaced to the Buffalo Payments in January 2021.

240: Consecutive common season begins by Rivers, the second most for any quarterback. It is a signal of each stamina and smarts, Wickersham says: "You do not play soccer for that many video games in a row in case you're getting hit on a regular basis."

14: Present Colts gamers that Rivers says had been on the crew when he was final there.

"The teammates that I used to be capable of play with, shoot, 14 of them are nonetheless right here," he mentioned on Wednesday. "Coaching room is similar. PR guys are the identical. Tools room is similar. They wished me. I attempt to maintain it so simple as that."

32: Variety of NFL beginning quarterbacks. And through his profession, not a lot of them may do what Rivers did — and would possibly nonetheless do.

"There's 16,000 beginning quarterbacks in highschool yearly. There's 858 in school on the highest degree," Wickersham says. "There's 32 starters within the NFL. There's 10 good ones and there is three nice ones, give or take, in a 12 months."

"There are only a few guys like Philip Rivers," he provides. "So if anybody can come off of the road and ship a few wins and assist this crew make the playoffs, he is one of many few guys that might do it."

2: The variety of Indianapolis star athletes who've torn their Achilles tendons this 12 months, at key moments. First there was the Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton, knocked out of Recreation 7 of the NBA Finals. Months later, the Colts misplaced beginning quarterback Daniel Jones — who had already been "taking part in by way of" a damaged fibula.

"It is simply one other stinging second for Indianapolis sports activities," says Samantha Horton, of member station WFYI.

For the town's followers, she says, "I feel a few of them are simply hopeful that … a dream of even seeing the playoffs can stay alive this 12 months."

For the Colts, that dream would possibly rely on what Rivers can nonetheless do.

"It has been heartbreaking for this to occur to Indy followers particularly after the Pacers' run," Colts fan Grace Branson says. "The Colts had been off to an incredible and hopeful begin. I am glad that Rivers is acquainted with this offense so it offers me some hope and confidence for the remainder of the season."