CARSON, Calif. -- Known for his toughness, Philip Rivers showed a rare vulnerable side last week when he self-reported concussion-like symptoms Monday, subjecting himself to the NFL’s concussion protocol for the first time in his 14-year professional career.
“Anything the neck down I tend to be a little reckless with,” Rivers said. “But that isn’t something I want to play around with.”
Rivers had not missed a game since taking over as the starter for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2006, a streak of 185 straight regular-season games entering Sunday’s contest against the Buffalo Bills.
Rivers said he couldn’t remember what hit caused the concussion during last week’s game on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“There were a couple where I landed pretty hard, but I’m not sure, really,” Rivers said. “Again, it was just a little different feeling than normal. And so I just wanted to play it a little safe.”
Rivers was a full participant in practice this past Thursday and Friday, was cleared to play Friday afternoon and started on Sunday.
And the North Carolina State product played well, completing 20 of 32 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns in the Chargers' 54-24 win.
“I thought he did fine,” Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said. “I thought he settled in and played a good game. No turnovers -- the completions that he had, I don’t know how many he completed, but he completed enough. I thought Philip played fine.”
More than his performance, this week showed that Rivers, three weeks away from his 36th birthday, is getting wiser.
“It was really uncharted territory for me,” Rivers said. “I’ve just never really dealt with it. But I really felt good all week, really, and certainly as the week progressed.
“I don’t like to call it a formality because I think it’s a very important protocol. But it was just a matter of making sure to go through all of the proper steps. And thankfully, that was all clear and good, and I felt good all week.”
Rivers said he got through the game fine. He didn’t take any big hits and was only sacked once. But more than anything, acknowledging he has a concussion is another sign that Rivers' career is nearing the end and that he understands there’s life after football, including watching his eight children grow.
“I think at the end of the day, when you visit with your wife and those eight babies there, why not?” Rivers said about admitting to having a concussion. “Even if you’re being extra cautious, why not -- because then if you go through and you can nail all of those tests, and all of those things, then it gives you peace of mind that you are OK, No. 1.
“And then if something else does [come up] -- but you hope it never does pop up weeks later -- and then you go, ‘Oh, shoot. I felt a little funny after that game.’ Then you’re chasing something that you just don’t know. I just thought it was the prudent thing to do there.”
Rivers’ commuting buddy, backup quarterback Kellen Clemens, said the veteran signal-caller did something most quarterbacks struggle to do -- give up control.
“You can’t tough it through this one,” Clemens said. “I’ve not been through the concussion protocol, so I can’t speak for him. But for a guy who is as physically and mentally as tough as he is, this isn’t a question of toughness, and that’s where it’s a little bit tricky.
“Which is why it’s admirable that he would report it -- because he in a way gave up control, which for quarterbacks, that’s not an easy thing to do.”
