Philip Rivers returned from retirement because he wanted to play some more football, and because the Indianapolis Colts needed a QB.
The comeback has an added benefit for his big family, including a loving wife and many kids. It's a health insurance benefit, literally.
It's one of the underrated aspects of Rivers' comeback, which reaches game two on Monday night when the Colts take on the San Francisco 49ers in a game Indy needs to have to keep its playoff hopes alive.
It's as good a time as any to appreciate the sneaky extra wrinkle to the Rivers return.
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How many kids does Philip Rivers have?
Philip Rivers and his wife Tiffany have 10 kids.
They actually have a grandkid now, too.
One of Rivers' sons, Gunner, is a talented high school QB who was playing this season for his father as his coach, and who will end up as a Division I quarterback in a few years.
How NFL health insurance works for Philip Rivers comeback
For any NFL player who is on a roster for three years, they receive health insurance from the league for five years after retirement.
Rivers, of course, was in the league for many more than three years.
So when he retired after the 2020 season, his health insurance technically ran through August 2026.
By returning to the league, Rivers restarted the clock.
If he retires after this season, his insurance will go through August 2031.
Given hundreds of millions in career earnings, Rivers doesn't necessarily need the insurance help.
But he's got a big family. It probably can't hurt.
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