As a massive LA Chargers fan, I like to think I know a lot about the players and the team. But the recent article I read about quarterback Philip Rivers made me see him in a whole different light - as a dad, and not just our beloved QB.
In it, Philip recalls a game in November of this year at CentruyLink field in Seattle. During the National Anthem he looked up at where his wife and four oldest kids (out of EIGHT!!!) were sitting and says that moment was surreal for him.
“I could see them up there, just looking at my four oldest and my wife, and I just thought, ‘How awesome is this?!’ I’m literally living out my childhood dream, we’re playing in Seattle in that awesome atmosphere, the national anthem’s playing and there are my oldest four of the eight we have watching me at 37 years old playing a game. It was kind of one of those surreal moments. You have those little snapshots of time that you’re just like, ‘Gosh, it doesn’t get much better.’”
The story of Philip's family life is so sweet, too. He and his high school sweetheart Tiffany married in 2001 after his freshman year of college and now have EIGHT children together - Halle (16), Caroline (13), Grace (12), Gunner (10), Sarah (8), Peter (7), Rebecca (5) and Clare (3) - and they're expecting a ninth in March.
What do the kids think of their dad's especially cool life? Gunner, the oldest son, says that their dad is just always there for them, despite his busy schedule and need to travel for games.
“Wherever we go out – we go all kinds of places – random people just come up and ask for his autograph and for pictures. It’s cool. But he’s always there for us. But when he’s home, we like to throw the football in the yard. We like to putt on the putting green, watch football and do things like that.”
Halle, the oldest of 8 says her dad is "selfless."
“He’s an NFL quarterback; he’s doing a million different things every day, but every day he comes home, and he wants to be with us. If he has one extra minute that he could do something else, he’ll be with us.”
Because of how selfless and incredible their dad is, the family decided to throw a big surprise party for Philip in celebration of his 200th start - which was the game in Seattle back in November.
His wife explains:
“He’s not the type to toot his own horn or anything, but we just wanted to make it special for him because he does everything for everybody and doesn’t really ever do anything for himself."
I don't know how you see the way Philip's family speaks of him and not fall TOTALLY in love with him. What a guy. Can't wait to see yet another start this Sunday as the Chargers take on the Patriots.
AND! I'll be hosting a party at the Dave and Busters in Hollywood on Sunday from 9am-2pm, if you want to come watch the game with me! GO BOLTS!
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Photo: Getty Images