Philip Rivers to Become Just the Second NFL Grandpa
The Indianapolis Colts might start a grandpa at quarterback on Sunday. Philip Rivers signed with the Colts’ practice squad after several years away from the gridiron. While he spent most of his career, which spanned more than two decades, with the Los Angeles Chargers, he does have a history with the Colts. Still, the signing feels inexplicable and certainly unexpected. Football is largely considered a young man’s game, and the stats back that. If Rivers starts for the team, he’ll be only the second grandfather to take the field as a professional quarterback.
Philip Rivers comes out of retirement
The Indianapolis Colts have found themselves in a really difficult position. The team lost its star quarterback to a season-ending injury, and its rookie backup has been nursing an injury, too. With a winning season on the line, the organization has decided to go an unconventional route in finding a quarterback to step in for Daniel Jones. They didn’t seek out a free agent or young talent. The organization looked through the annals of its retirees to find someone who might be suitable.
Philip Rivers, who played just a single season with the Colts, retired after the 2020 season. He spent 17 years in the league, serving as the Chargers’ starting quarterback for 16 of those seasons. His retirement was not a surprise; he was nearing 40 and looked ready to turn in his helmet for more time with his family. Five years later, he’s signed with the Colts again as part of their practice squad. There is a very real possibility the 44-year-old father of 10 could return to the field for a few more moments.
He’ll be the second grandpa to take an NFL snap if he does end up suiting up
It is still unclear if Philip Rivers will actually see the field when the Colts take on the Seattle Seahawks on December 14. A final decision hasn’t been made yet. If he does, however, he’ll become the second grandfather to serve as an NFL quarterback in Modern football history. The first grandpa to take the field was Brett Favre. Favre became a grandfather in April 2010, when his daughter gave birth to her first son. In September 2010, he returned to Minnesota to serve as the Vikings’ quarterback. It was his final season in the NFL. He was 40 at the time.
Rivers has been busy raising his family of 10 children, including one who was born in 2023. His older kids, however, are embarking on their own lives. His eldest daughter, Halle, became a mother more than a year ago. She welcomed her first son in late 2024. Rivers made the announcement during a chat with Jon Gruden. Rivers was out of the NFL for several years, seemingly retired for good, before he became a grandpa. In the interim, he’s been coaching high school football and keeping things really low-key in Alabama.
