NFL Quarterback and Catholic dad of 10 Philip Rivers officially announced his retirement from football on July 21, 2025. He signed a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Chargers franchise, the team he played for during 16 of his 17 NFL seasons.
The retirement announcement was posted on the Chargers' social media accounts. In the emotional video, Rivers reflects on his football career and what it meant to play for the Chargers.
"Thankful for those 16 years and entrusting me to be the quarterback," said Rivers, adding he "certainly never took it for granted."
In the video, Rivers is presented with his retirement contract by members of his former offensive line — players who were tasked with protecting him during the games. This came as a huge surprise.
"Ain't no way! Ain't no way!" said Rivers when members of his former offensive line appeared at his door.
While Rivers previously announced that he would no longer play professional football back in 2021, signing a one-day contract allows him to "return" to the franchise he spent the bulk of his career playing for.
(During most of Rivers' time with the team, they were known as the San Diego Chargers; the team moved to Los Angeles and subsequently was renamed the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017.)
Since leaving the NFL, Rivers has been coaching football at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama. Rivers is a native of Alabama.
Throughout his football career both as a player and a coach, Rivers has been open about his Catholic faith. When he first accepted the job at St. Michael Catholic High School, Rivers noted that he was “looking forward to Friday night football games, Saturday workouts with the boys, and going to Mass [on] Sundays.”
