Athens High School legend Phillip Rivers retires from NFL (again)
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Future NFL Hall of Fame quarterback and former Athens High School standout Phillip Rivers announced this week he is retiring from the NFL–five years after retiring the first time in his career.
Rivers, at 44 years old, was signed by the Indianapolis Colts in December to a short contract after starter Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending injury.
Rivers played in three games for the Colts, completing 63% of his passes and throwing for 544 yards and four touchdowns against three interceptions. He finished his 2025 stint with Indianapolis with a passer rating of 80.2.
Colts miss the playoffs, but Rivers has ‘no regrets’
Indianapolis came into the final month of the season with a chance to make the playoffs, but those chances were looking slim with Jones injured. But when the Colts first contacted Rivers about reporting to the practice squad, he said he was in a state of disbelief.
“It was just one of those ‘you can’t make this up’ kind of deals. And I did feel like I had a little ball left in me when I decided to step away after the 2020 season, but it was the right time. And I look back and I still believe that to be true.”
Phillip Rivers on The Jack Doyle Podcast
Rivers said he has no regrets coming back out onto the field at age 44. But said he wishes the team had been able to reach the postseason under his leadership.
“My only regret is that we couldn’t find a way to get it done. But other than that, it’s just nothing but gratitude and thankful for this opportunity.”
Phillip Rivers on The Jack Doyle Podcast
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