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Philip Rivers is now a high school coach
Photo: Michael Conroy / AP
Philip Rivers retires from professional sport after 17 seasons as one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history.
"It's just about time," Rivers told the US newspaper "The San Diego Union-Tribune", "It's the right moment."
The 39-year-old from the Indianapolis Colts ended his career after 244 NFL games, 240 of which were in a row without a break.
It's the second-longest run ever for a quarterback in the NFL, with only Brett Favre above it (297).
“I could sit here and say that I can still throw the ball, that I still love the game.
But that will always be there.
I'm looking forward to coaching high school football. ”It was announced last May that Rivers would start coaching at St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama after retiring.
Rivers was drafted in 2004 by the Chargers, for whom he played for 16 years.
Last summer he switched to the Indianapolis Colts, where he put down 4,169 yards and 24 touchdowns for the Colts last season - Indianapolis moved into the playoffs.
In the wildcard round it was over against the Buffalo Bills.
"That was the first year I felt like it was the end," he said.
“We've talked about it in other years, but knew it wasn't there yet.
This year felt different.
It just seems right to me. "
Throughout his career, he fought 63,440 yards and threw 421 Toudown passes.
That puts him in fifth place in NFL history, behind Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Favre.
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