A family guy

By Rob Phraner

July 17, 2008 11:41 am

— 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.
“Before I entered the NFL I always wondered what they did with Sundays,” Rivers said.
“But we have a chaplain come in on Saturday nights and a priest on Sunday mornings, while we’re on the road or at home, so it all works out.”
An active faith with supportive family provides Rivers the necessary foundation to succeed.
“I came from a great family, and have a great family now,” Rivers said. “My wife Tiffany is solid, tough as nails, and to have a partner like that, on the journey together, is great.”
One of Solomon’s proverbs teaches that a good name is better than great riches.
Athens’ newest street reflects the truth that while having one does not exclude the other.
And in the case of Philip Rivers, you can have fame, fortune, faith, and family, and a name good enough to drive on.
“My motto, ‘faith, family and football’ is the key for me,” Rivers said, “It is to not allow the losses and interceptions (football) to take over the other two (faith and family).”

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