Philip Rivers fights back tears after first NFL game in five years

The Seahawks may have spoiled a Disney movie in the making, but Philip Rivers delivered a heartfelt message for his players watching back in Fairhope, Alabama. 

The 44-year-old quarterback returned to the NFL on Sunday in the Colts’ 18-16 loss to the Seahawks, appearing in a game for the first time since 2020. 

Rivers finished the game with 18 completions for 120 yards and a touchdown throw, which whipped the St. Michael Catholic players he coaches into a frenzy at a team watch party in Fairhope. 

The images of the team celebrating their coach’s eight-yard touchdown throw to Josh Downs in the second quarter went viral. 

Rivers was emotional after the game, fighting back tears while talking to the media in Seattle.

And Rivers explained to reporters what he hopes those players took away from Sunday. 

“Maybe it will inspire or teach them not to run or be scared of what may or may not happen,” Rivers said. “Hopefully, certainly, I think of my sons and those ballplayers that I’m in charge of at the school, that they’ll see, ‘Crap, Coach wasn’t scared.’ There is doubt, and it’s real, and again, the guaranteed safe bet is to not go for it. The other one is ‘Shoot, let’s see what happens.’”

Rivers is back under center in a rather unique circumstance as the Colts try to keep their playoff hopes alive. 

It looked as though Rivers might lead the Colts to a win, driving 26 yards on seven plays to set up a field goal with 47 seconds left in the game to put Indianapolis up 16-15. 

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But the Seahawks – led by Sam Darnold – were able to get into field goal range and retake the lead with 18 seconds left. 

Rivers said the motivation wasn’t trying to be an inspiration and that he was already looking toward the “Monday Night Football” matchup the Colts have with the 49ers. 

“We’re going to scratch and fight and claw, I do know that,” he said. “Not because I’m here, but I do know that any team that I had ever been a part of, not because of me, but I’ve been a part of, will fight like crazy until they tell us the season’s over. You can guarantee that for the next three weeks.”