Yes, it's unprecedented for Philip Rivers, in the middle of being a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, to decide to return and play some more in the NFL.
But somehow that's the only thing anyone is talking about, like Rivers gives one care about the fact that his Hall of Fame clock could get reset.
The Indianapolis Colts signed the 44-year old QB to a practice squad contract on Tuesday. His five-year clock for the HOF only resets if he gets signed to the active roster.
And in all the news posts about Rivers' signing, that's mentioned, like the resetting of a clock is something Rivers stresses about before he goes to bed at night.
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This is the gunslinging, sidearm-throwing, daggum Philip Rivers we're talking about.
This dude loves football. How's he spending his time in retirement? Coaching high school football, and his aptly named son Gunner, who is a high-ranking QB recruit.
If Rivers ends up taking the field, and leads the Colts to the playoffs, it'll be one of the coolest stories in sports, and not because Rivers made some sacrifice by delaying his chances of getting into the Hall of Fame.
It'll be immensely cool because it's a formerly beloved quarterback getting onto the field again after five years away. His whole squadron of children will get to watch him play in the NFL again.
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It's not about money or fame. It's about Rivers seeing a chance to mentor a young QB (Riley Leonard) while also potentially getting to put on the uniform again.
Players don't always get to choose when they leave the game.
This is Rivers getting one more chance to control his own football fate. The Hall of Fame clock hasn't even crossed his mind. Someone said to Philip, "Hey man, any chance you want to come play quarterback again?" And he didn't hesitate, because once a QB, always a QB.
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