Before Tiger Woods displayed toughness by winning his 14th major with a torn ACL recently, Philip Rivers defined toughness by playing in an NFL playoff game with a similar injury.

Except, Rivers had to elude rampaging 300-pound lineman, while Tiger stood alone on a quiet tee box.

The combination of talent and toughness has allowed Rivers to enjoy success whereever he has laced up his cleats, whether at Athens High School (21-5, 1998-99), North Carolina State (34-17, 2000-04) or professionally at San Diego (25-7, 2006-07).

The San Diego quarterback was on hand to see Philip Rivers Drive unveiled for the first time Saturday, officially known as ‘Philip Rivers Day’ in Athens.  

The street, paved between Athens High School and the AHS Stadium, was aptly named for the man who represents himself and his hometown with character and class.

Athens coach Alan Creasy acknowledged that naming streets for people could be a risk, but not so with someone of Rivers’ integrity.  

“Of course, we could take it down if you don’t keep your nose clean,” Creasy said.

The respect Rivers commands, even in jest, reflects the deeper priorities that most people do not associate with professional athletes.  

“Faith, family and football is my motto,” Rivers said. “Faith first, family second and football next. That ‘next’ could be soccer to some or the trumpet to others. I encourage young guys with that, to live life in that order.

“I hate losing football games more than anybody, but when my three little girls come running up to me after a game, they don’t know about the interceptions or the losses, or if I completed 35 passes in a row. That keeps it all in perspective,” Rivers said.

Rivers approaches his All-Pro position like a job. He acknowledges its differences from other jobs, but his low-key approach keeps him humbly grounded.

“We work on TV, kind of like entertainers, and we’re pulled in many directions. Some of the traveling is tough, but many jobs require travel, it’s the same for anybody,” Rivers said. “But it’s just a job. Fortunately for me, I play a game for my job, so it’s nice.”

He said juggling his personal life and his professional life is simpler in the NFL than it was in college.

“It’s actually easier for me now,” Rivers explained. “Then, I was married with children and had school work; it was a lot of responsibility. Now, I leave the house, go to one facility for the day then go home.”

The nature of the NFL coupled with constant time demands would seem to make nourishing your faith a difficult task.