Philip Rivers’ most recent NFL game came on Jan. 9, 2021, as he threw for 309 yards and two touchdowns in the Indianapolis Colts’ 27-24 playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills.

A former Athens High School star and son of a prep coach, Rivers has spent the four seasons since as the football coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope. But it wasn’t until Monday that Rivers announced his retirement from the NFL.

The Los Angeles Chargers released a video featuring Rivers as he talked about his football career and tried to keep a rein on his emotions.

Rivers signed a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Chargers. He spent 16 seasons with the franchise – 13 in San Diego and three in Los Angeles – before playing his final season with the Colts.

Rivers entered the NFL from North Carolina State as the fourth pick in the 2004 draft. The New York Giants chose Rivers. But because the first pick, Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning, refused to play for the Chargers, San Diego traded him to the Giants for Rivers.

After serving two seasons as the backup to Drew Brees, Rivers started the final 240 games of his career – 252 if the playoffs are included. He did not miss starting a game across 15 seasons.

“I think gratitude is the first thing that comes to mind,” Rivers said in his retirement video. “… There were so many highlights and fun Sundays – so many. But what I miss and what I’m most appreciative and thankful for are those relationships, the things that were behind the scenes.”

One of the former teammates mentioned by Rivers in the video was former Auburn offensive tackle Marcus McNeill, who was in the group that showed up at Rivers’ home with the one-day contract for him to sign.

“Having you retire a Charger, man, it means the world to us as an organization,” team owner John Spanos told Rivers. “And we’re just so grateful.”

When Rivers played his last game, he ranked fifth in NFL history with 63,440 passing yards, 421 touchdown passes and a 95.2 passing-efficiency rating.

Rivers received Pro Bowl recognition in 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

“It goes fast,” Rivers said.

Rivers will become eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame with the Class of 2026. The process to select the next set of inductees into the football shrine will begin later this year.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.